AI Adoption

Digital / AI Adoption Subsidy

デジタル化・AI導入補助金2026（旧 IT導入補助金）(Digital / AI Adoption Subsidy 2026, formerly the IT Adoption Subsidy)

Japan's government funding dedicated to digital transformation (formerly the IT Adoption Subsidy): normal frame up to 4.5M JPY, subsidy rate within 1/2. Requires a joint application with a registered IT Adoption Support Provider and follows public-offering deadline rounds

Maximum SubsidyNormal frame up to 4.5M JPY (Invoice frame software up to 3.5M JPY)

Overview

Key Facts at a Glance

Normal frame subsidy cap

4.5M JPY

0.5M–4.5M JPY; Invoice frame software tier up to 3.5M

Subsidy rate

Within 1/2

Within 2/3 when the minimum-wage requirement is met

Acceptance method

Public-offering deadline system

Application via an IT Adoption Support Provider + a registered IT tool

Eligibility

Who Can Apply?

Sole proprietors (including independent freelancers and individual businesses)
SMEs / small-scale business operators (capital / employee-count caps vary by industry)
Loss-making companies may also apply provided the IT introduction plan is feasible
Must select an "IT tool" registered on the official list and apply jointly through an "IT Adoption Support Provider"
Legally conducting business activities in Japan
Must complete the grant application before the public-offering deadline (not accepted on a rolling basis)

Eligible Costs

Which Costs Qualify?

Registered IT tools (software / cloud services)

Subsidized items must be "IT tools" registered on the official list — subscription or cloud-service fees for already-registered SaaS such as smart customer service, process optimization, and AI marketing

Feature extensions / options of registered tools

Related feature extensions and module options within the scope of a registered tool, which must fall under that tool's registered category

Related introduction services

Registered fees for introduction setup, initial consulting, and other related services provided by the IT Adoption Support Provider

Invoice-frame-limited hardware

Permitted only under the Invoice (electronic transaction) frame, and limited to designated equipment such as PCs, tablets, print/scan devices, POS, and ticket machines; hardware such as GPU servers is not covered by the normal frame and must be confirmed item by item

Application Process

From Consultation to Receipt, 5 Steps

Free eligibility diagnosis

A specialist consultant determines whether your AI adoption plan meets the eligibility criteria. Sole proprietors and loss-making companies can also be assessed; reply within 1 business day.

Formulate the AI adoption plan

We help you identify business pain points, select AI tools, and produce a feasible AI adoption business plan.

Prepare materials and submit the application

Our Gyoseishoshi team assists in completing all materials — application form, budget breakdown, benefit projections, etc. — and submits online to the competent authority.

Implement after the grant decision

Only after receiving the grant decision notice may you formally purchase AI software/hardware or begin development. Do not pay in advance.

Performance report and subsidy disbursement

After the AI system is introduced, submit the performance report; once approved, the subsidy is transferred to your account, arriving in roughly 2–3 months.

Required Documents

Main Documents Needed to Apply

Certificate of registered corporate matters (corporations) or business-opening notification (sole proprietors)
Financial statements or final tax returns for the most recent 1–2 fiscal years
AI adoption business plan (prepared with our assistance)
Quotation for AI software / hardware / development services
Benefit projection table (quantified sales increase / cost reduction / production-efficiency metrics)
Data-security / compliance measures statement (if customer data is involved)
Bank account certificate (for subsidy transfer)

※ These are the main documents; the specific files required vary by application type and company situation. We provide full document-checklist support.

FAQ

FAQs about the Digital / AI Adoption Subsidy

QCan sole proprietors and freelancers apply?

AYes. Sole proprietors are within scope, as long as they legally operate in Japan, select an officially registered IT tool, and apply jointly through an IT Adoption Support Provider. Independent software developers and individual businesses are typical applicants.

QMy company is currently operating at a loss — can we still apply?

AYes. This subsidy does not use profitability as a threshold; even if you are currently in the red, you can apply as long as your IT/AI adoption plan is feasible with expected benefits. However, final selection is decided by the secretariat's review; applying does not mean automatic approval.

QCan this subsidy be applied for at any time? Are there SME-size requirements?

AIt is not accepted on a rolling basis — this subsidy has clear public-offering deadline rounds, and the grant application must be completed before each round's deadline. Eligible parties are SMEs / small-scale operators and sole proprietors (with capital / employee-count caps by industry; large enterprises do not qualify). Furthermore, an "IT Adoption Support Provider" must first register the IT tool and apply jointly; individuals cannot submit alone.

QCan subscriptions such as ChatGPT Plus or Claude be applied for?

AGeneral subscriptions themselves are not subsidized — this subsidy only covers "IT tools" registered on the official list. If the AI functionality you need is delivered through a registered tool or a customized solution provided by an IT Adoption Support Provider, the related cost may be included in the application. We will help match you with eligible registered tools.

QWhat happens if AI system development fails or falls short of expectations?

AThis program focuses on the feasibility and actual implementation of the plan and does not make achieving results a condition for repaying the subsidy, but you must execute according to plan and submit a performance report. We will help you build a robust plan and provide guidance during implementation to avoid document flaws that could lead to later clawbacks.

Data Source & Verification

This subsidy is a review-and-selection scheme (formerly the IT Adoption Subsidy), requiring a joint application through a registered IT Adoption Support Provider, with public-offering deadlines. The FY2026 frame structure and subsidy rates are unchanged from Reiwa 7; grant applications open March 30, 2026, and as of the verification date the latest available is the Normal frame 4th deadline of 17:00 on August 25, 2026 (monthly rounds thereafter). Amounts and deadlines are governed by the latest official public-offering guidelines; submitting an application does not guarantee selection.

Official source: デジタル化・AI導入補助金2026 事務局（中小機構）(Secretariat, Digital / AI Adoption Subsidy 2026; SMRJ)

Last verified: 2026-08-01

※ Subsidy/grant programs and amounts change with official public-offering guidelines; the authority's latest announcement prevails.