Japan Subsidy Finder 2026- Home
- How to apply
How to Apply for Japan's Home and Business Subsidies, and What to Watch Out For
Things to check before you sign (checked Nov 2, 2026).
1. The 2026 housing energy campaign
- Choose a registered business: only contractors and dealers registered as "housing energy support businesses" can apply. Search on the official site (Japanese).
- Sign for eligible products and work: windows, water heaters and other products must be registered with the secretariat. Work must have started on or after Nov 28, 2025.
- Reservation and application: the business reserves funds after work starts and applies after completion and handover. Reservations close by Nov 16, 2026 and applications by Dec 31, 2026 at the latest, earlier if funds run out.
- Payment: about 1–2 months after approval, the business receives the subsidy and passes it on as a discount or cash.
2. Combining programs in the campaign
- For renovations you can claim windows under the window program, water heaters under the water heater program and other insulation or accessibility work under Mirai Eco Housing. The same window or heater cannot be claimed twice.
- For a new home, Mirai Eco Housing (new homes) and the water heater program cannot be combined.
3. Local subsidies
Prefectures and municipalities run their own programs for earthquake retrofits, accessibility, energy saving, solar, batteries and EVs. Most require applying before you sign or start work, and many close mid-year when funds run out. Use the renovation support search site (Japanese) to find programs by municipality.
4. Subsidies for SMEs
- Many programs require a gBizID Prime account, which can take time to get.
- For the digitalization and AI subsidy you apply with a registered IT vendor. Signing or paying before approval usually makes the cost ineligible.
- Even when approved, funds arrive only after the project ends and your report is accepted, so plan your cash flow.
5. Beware of sales pitches using subsidies
Be careful with pitches like "sign today and the subsidy makes it free" or "we're here for a government subsidy survey". Door-to-door contracts can be cancelled within 8 days of receiving the contract document (cooling-off). The consumer hotline is 188 (National Consumer Affairs Center).