Subsidies for Japanese companies expanding abroad
Tokyo is a vibrant and dynamic city, with a diverse range of businesses operating within its borders. The government of Tokyo recognizes the importance of supporting these businesses, and has implemented a number of subsidies and incentives to help them thrive.
However this information is not easily accessible, especially for the foreign founder who can't read/write in Japanese.
In this post we will be discussing specific subsidies for companies founded in Japan (more specifically in Tokyo) that are looking to expand their businesses abroad.
Subsidy for overseas patent application expenses(外国特許出願費用助成事業)
A subsidy for companies looking to apply for patents abroad. More information here.
What does it cover
- Application fees
- Examination request fees
- Intermediate procedure fees
- Agent costs
- Translation fees
- Prior art search fees
- International search fees
- International preliminary examination fees, etc.
How much does it cover
Half of the costs, up to 4,000,000 Yen.
Subsidy for overseas utility model application expenses(外国実用新案出願費用助成事業)
A subsidy for companies looking to apply for an utility model abroad. More information here.
What does it cover
- Application fees
- Agent costs
- Translation fees
- Prior art search fees
- International search fees
- International preliminary examination fees, etc.
How much does it cover
Half of the costs, up to 600,000 Yen.
Subsidy for overseas industrial design rights application expenses(外国意匠出願費用助成事業)
A subsidy for companies looking to apply for industrial design rights abroad. More information here.
What does it cover
- Application fees
- Agent costs
- Translation fees
- Prior art search fees
- International search fees
How much does it cover
Half of the costs, up to 600,000 Yen.
Subsidy for overseas trademark application expenses(外国商標出願費用助成事業)
A subsidy for companies looking to apply for trademarks abroad. More information here.
What does it cover
- Application fees
- Agent costs
- Translation fees
- Prior art search fees
- International search fees
How much does it cover
Half of the costs, up to 600,000 Yen.
Subsidy for overseas copyright registration expenses(外国著作権登録費用助成事業)
A subsidy for companies looking to register copyrights abroad. More information here.
What does it cover
- Application fees
- Agent costs
- Translation fees
- Prior art search fees
- International search fees
How much does it cover
Half of the costs, up to 600,000 Yen.
Subsidy for overseas trademark countermeasures expenses(海外商標対策支援助成事業)
In order for small and medium-sized companies to expand overseas sales channels with their own brand, Tokyo support efforts to cancel or invalidate similar trademarks of other companies that hinder business in the country the company plans to enter. More information here.
What does it cover
- Information collection
- Petition of objections
- Non-use cancellation trial
- Invalidation trial
- Provision of information
- Administrative litigation
How much does it cover
Half of the costs, up to 5,000,000 Yen.
Subsidy for top global niche companies(グローバルニッチトップ助成事業)
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government subsidizes the expenses required for acquisition of intellectual property rights, etc., for small and medium-sized enterprises that possess technologies and products that can be expected to expand their business on a global scale. This subsidy project aims to create companies that will lead industry in Tokyo by providing comprehensive and strong support. More information here.
However this is a subsidy that has a higher barrier for application. Some of the requirements are:
- Being recognized for excellent technology and products in an existing business implemented by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government or the Tokyo Metropolitan Small and Medium Enterprise Support Foundation, and has received commendation, subsidies, and support. (For details, please check the application guidelines
- Patent rights, utility model rights, and design rights related to the above technologies and products have already been acquired, either in Japan or overseas.
- Have a business development plan on a global scale (approximately 3 countries, regions or more), and are trying to promote the acquisition and maintenance of intellectual property rights overseas based on the plan
Those who have received any of the above subsidies must also present an "utilization status report" by the designated date to able to receive this subsidy.
What does it cover
- Expenses related to acquisition and maintenance of rights in foreign countries (patents, utility models,industrial designs, trademarks, copyrights)
- Intellectual property trouble countermeasure costs (Infringement investigation, cost of injunction at customs, etc.)
- Preliminary investigation costs
How much does it cover
Half of the costs, up to 10,000,000 Yen.