2nd Invitation - 2014 Subsidy Programme for Projects Promoting Foreign Direct Investment, Site Location and Regional Development in Japan (Project of site location for global companies)

The Subsidy Programme for Projects Promoting Foreign Direct Investment, Site Location and Regional Development in Japan (Project of site location for global companies) is intended to attract and concentrate high-value-added business operation that match the strength of the Japanese economy by supporting global companies’ establishment of new business locations in Japan, such as Head Sites or R&D Sites.

【Eligible Companies】
Private enterprises that satisfy all of the below requirements:
a) Have corporate status in Japan
b) Belong to a corporate body consisting of group companies that are operating an actual business in two or more countries at the time of
    submitting this application
※Foreign corporations (including branch offices in Japan) must have corporate status in Japan by the time of submitting the grant application if
    your project is selected by this subsidy programme.

【Subsidized Projects】
Projects that satisfy all of the below requirements:
a) The project(※1) shall be for those establishing a Regional Headquarters(※2) or R&D Site (※3) in Japan.
b) The applied headquarters’ operations or R&D activities shall be continued for a minimum of 3 years after the end of the subsidy project period
c) The investment plan must not have been publicly announced, nor the placing of orders, making of contracts, etc. been undertaken, prior to
    Cabinet approval of the budget bill of the 2014 general account (December 24th 2013).
※1 Relocation and consolidation of existing sites already in Japan are excluded.
※2 Facilities to operate a business relating to the controlled group company’s project policy decision or coordination (sales and marketing,
      corporate planning, finance, personnel and training, R&D, production management, distribution, legal affairs, etc.), and there shall be
      controlled group companies in 2 or more countries (Japan can be included).
※3 Facilities needed to carry out R&D, such as industrialization through applied development, trials and product testing for advanced industrial
      technology in line with technological innovation.

The projects selected for the last year’s subsidy programme http://www.meti.go.jp/english/press/2013/0709_01.html

【Subsidized Costs】
Survey design costs, Facility costs, Equipment costs, Facility lease fees.

【Subsidy Rate】
Up to 1/2 for SMEs
Up to 1/3 for non-SMEs
※Limit: 0.5 billion yen

【Criteria】
1. Basic Items - Implementation ability, eligibility as a subsidy project operator, validity of costs and work schedule, etc.
2. Uniqueness of the relevant site - It is expected that the relevant site is new to Japan.
3. Added value of the relevant site
Substantial investment amount and potential for employment creation, as well as incorporating one of the following aims:
a) Regional HQ
The site is expected to be superior in terms of the number of sites it controls, and its functions, projects, and staff, and business undertaken at the site must create newly added value in Japan.
b) R&D Site
The site is expected to be superior in terms of the contents in the R&D, its staff, patents and know-how, and business undertaken at the site must create newly added value in Japan.
4. Ripple effects such as the accumulation effect that the subsidized project is expected to have in Japan
a) It is expected that there will be a high ripple effect on the Japanese economy through collaboration with domestic companies, universities or
    public research institutions, or an accumulation effect in the relevant region.
b) It is expected that there will be no risk of drains of patents, technologies or inventions developed by Japanese companies, universities or
    public/private institutions.
c) Contribution to the recovery of disaster affected areas from the East Japan Earthquake.
    (e.g. collaboration with companies located in the affected area, location of R&D/Regional HQ site in the affected area)
5. Overseas locational competitiveness
Whether a review has been made of relocating the project overseas, whether the project has been invited by the relevant region, whether other
foreign governments operate a similar location policy, and the reason for deciding to locate the site in Japan.

【Schedule】
Period for Acceptance of Application Forms: From 10th September to 10th October 2014
Screening and Notification of Results: Around late October 2014
Grant Application and Notification: As a general rule, grant application must be reached at METI by 1st December 2014.
   ※Grant notification will be sent off in approximately 30 days after examination of the application.
Commencement of the Subsidy Project: Any day after receiving the grant notification to 31st March 2015.

【Contact】
- Application Submit -
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry(METI)
Trade and Investment Facilitation Division, Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau
Tel: +81 (0)3 3501 1511 (ex.3181~3186)
Address: 1-3-1 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
※All application documents must be either sent by mail or delivered in person to the address above (Applications submitted via FAX or e-mail
    will not be accepted).
※Application forms, including any appendices, can be prepared and submitted in English.

- Enquiries -
Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)
Invest Japan Division, Invest Japan Department
Tel: +81 (0)3 3582 5234
Email: invest-japan@jetro.go.jp

※Please see the following link and files for further details.

Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) - Invitaion of Applicants for the FY2014 Subsidy Programme