Office and Residential Rent Subsidy Program for Foreign Startups (FY2023)
1. Objectives and Outline
Fukuoka City Government provides financial aid towards rental costs for residence and/or business office to foreign entrepreneurs in Fukuoka City. The objectives of this subsidy program are to make Fukuoka a global startup city that attracts entrepreneurs from around the world to promote business startups by foreigners and to support businesses that are attractive to the city.
2. Eligible Person
Foreign entrepreneurs who established a business in Fukuoka City for the first time on or after April 1, 2022 and who meet all of the following requirements are eligible for the subsidy.
Foreign interpreters applying for the subsidy must:
- Must acquire Business Manager Residence Status (Startup Visa holders also can submit an application to certify their business, but they must change their residency status to Business Manager to apply for the subsidy.) or Designated Activities (Preparatory Activities of Business Commencement) Residency Status.
- Must be intending to operate a long-term business in Fukuoka City.
- Must be a resident in Fukuoka City.
- Must not be in arrears on any payments of municipal tax.
3. Eligible Industries
Businesses that fall under one of the five industries listed below, have been certified to be a leading business, and are expected to strengthen Fukuoka’s international competitiveness and improve the employment rate, are eligible for the subsidy.
- Knowledge Creating Industries (fintech,Semi-conductors, software development, content production, robotics, etc.)
- Health, Medical, and Welfare Industries (Pharmaceutical development ventures, medical technology development, regenerative medicine, welfare equipment development, etc.)
- Environment & Energy Industries (Clean energy development, next-generation power storage technology, global information systems, etc.)
- Logistics Industries (Global SCM services, 3PL services, international delivery, drone logistics development, etc.)
- Trade Industries (Businesses investing in international market opportunities for goods made in Fukuoka, or utilizing Hakata Port and/or Fukuoka Airport, etc.)
Note: Businesses in the trade-related industry must be new or greatly contribute to the growth of other firms within the city.
4. Applicable Expenses
The subsidy is to be used for renting a residence and business office (including common service and maintenance fees) that are required to launch the new business. The expenses must meet the following requirements:
Requirements
1. The rental expenses for a residence and business office incurred during the period from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024..
2.Documentation that shows necessary expenditure amounts and payment details.
3. The expenses to be covered by the subsidy program must have been generated after the day of application for the subsidy.
5. Subsidized Amount and Eligible Facilities
See the chart below for eligible residences or business offices and the subsidy amounts. (Consumption tax, parking, security deposit, key money, real estate commission, insurance, guarantor fee, and other initial expenses are not covered by the subsidy).
| Residence | Business Office | |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible Facilities | Private-sector apartments | Private-sector offices and incubation facilities |
| Monthly Subsidy Limit | ¥70,000 / Month | ¥50,000 / Month |
| Subsidy Rate | Up to 50% of the Monthly Rent | Up to 50% of the Montly Rent |
| Duration of Subsidy | Up to 12 Months (from the start date of subsidy provision to March 31, 2024) | Up to 12 Months (from the start date of subsidy provision to March 31, 2024) |
* Combined residence and office spaces also may be eligible to receive the subsidy. In this case, the monthly subsidy limit is the sum of the limits for residence and business office.
6．Program Scheme
※ Note: Performance Reports (⑤) are limited to applicants whose subsidy provision has been approved. Startup Visa holders must extend their resident status. The deadline to apply for the subsidy is September29, 2023.
7. Number of Applicants to be Approved
Approximately three
Note: Additional recruitment may take place within the budget.
8. Screening Process
Applicants will be selected and their businesses approved through screening of their application documents.
≪Standards for Screening≫
- Originality and excellence-in-field
- Feasibility
- Profitability
- Sustainability
- Funding plans, employment plans
- Ripple effect on the local economy
9. Required Documents
The documents listed below must be submitted in Japanese.
※Please note that the format of this subsidy program is different from the Startup Visa application form.
Please fill out the application form below.
- Subsidy grant application form (Form 1 （23kbyte）
) - Balance budget for applicable expenses form (Form 2 （22kbyte）)
- A copy of the applicant’s Residence Card (applicants must have also acquired Business Manager Residence Status, a Startup Visa or Designated Activities (Preparatory Activities of Business Commencement) Residence Status.)
- New Business Implementation Plan (Form 1-2 （124kbyte）)
- Applicant’s CV/Resume (Form 1-3 （61kbyte）)
- A copy of Certificate of All Historical Matters
A copy of the lease contract for rental housing, etc. - Articles of incorporation, etc.
- Other Required Documents (applicants may be requested to submit additional documents)
※Please note that the submitted documents will not be returned. Documents and information will only be used for the purpose of screening for this subsidy program.
10. Deadline and Submission
(1) Deadline and Method of Submission
Applicants must submit all required documents by 5:00 PM on Friday, September 29, 2023 at the location shown below.
(2) Place of Submission
Business Startup Support Section, Economy, Tourism & Culture Bureau, Fukuoka City
14F, 1-8-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka, 810-8620
Persons in Charge: TANAKA Daiki, MATSUO Ayaka
Phone: 092-711-4455
Phone: 092-753-6609(for non-Japanese speakers)
11. Schedule
| By September 29, 2023 | 2. Deadline for subsidy application |
| Around October 2023 | 3. Screening of New Business Implementation Plan |
| From November 2023 | 4. Notification of screening results |
| By March 31, 2024 | 5. Performance report |
| Around May 2024 | 7. Request for subsidy 8. Payment of subsidy |
●Fukuoka City Hall
〒810-8620
1-8-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka-shi
Opening hours: 8:45-18:00
●Inquiries to Ward Offices
Multilingual support line for all ward offices
Tel: 092-753-6113
Lines open: Monday-Friday 9:00-17:00
⚠ Lines closed on public and New Year holidays
Inquiries accepted: Monday-Friday 8:45-17:15
⚠ Lines closed on public and New Year holidays
●One-Stop Consultations for Foreign Residents
Fukuoka City Consultation Support Center for Foreign Residents
(Fukuoka City International Foundation)
〒812-0025
Fukuoka City International Center, 4-1 Tenyamachi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka-shi
Tel: 0120-66-1799 (free)
*You can also call on 092-262-1799 (charges apply).
Opening hours: Monday-Friday 9:00-18:00
⚠ Closed on public and New Year holidays
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