Subsidy Flash Survey: Guidance for SMEs Considering Equipment Upgrades—Public Applications Open Now for Subsidies Including Labor Costs
'Hojokin Flash', a service providing AI search and application support for subsidies and grants across Japan, analyzed 172 support programs opened for application between May 17 and May 23, 2026. The study suggests options for simultaneously advancing equipment upgrades and human resources acquisition by utilizing programs that cover not only equipment costs but also labor and recruitment expenses.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 25, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 25, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 25, 2026 at 10:43 (11 min after Collected)
'Hojokin Flash' (https://hojokin-kensaku.jp/), a service offering AI search and application support for subsidies and grants across Japan, has conducted an analysis of 172 support programs that opened for application from May 17 to May 23, 2026.
While subsidies are often thought to be limited to purchasing machinery and equipment, looking into programs that also cover labor costs, such as salaries and training for newly hired staff, reveals opportunities to consolidate equipment upgrades and personnel expansion in a single application.
■ Summary of Analysis Results
(1) For those considering replacing machinery or systems, there are many programs where out-of-pocket expenses can be reduced by more than half. Since options can be found starting from small investments under 1 million yen, listing 'what you want to introduce' first makes it easier to narrow down the choices.
(2) Programs that cover not only equipment and machinery purchase costs but also the salaries and training expenses of newly hired staff are emerging. Because these can be used in tandem with capital investment or business succession initiatives, coordinating personnel expansion plans with equipment plans broadens the scope of potential applications.
(3) The majority of programs are open to applications from sole proprietors. Searching by 'type of expense' rather than by legal entity type allows for faster discovery of potential matches.
■ Survey Overview
Survey Target: Subsidy and support programs that opened for application from 2026/05/17 to 2026/05/23.
Survey Method: Aggregation and analysis of public information listed on Hojokin Flash.
Survey Purpose: To organize newly launched support programs from the perspective of eligible expenses and to visualize programs that cover costs beyond equipment.
Survey Period: 2026/05/17 to 2026/05/23 (based on application start date).
Survey Area: Nationwide.
Number of Cases: 172.
Survey Body: Hojokin Flash (Operated by Franca AI Co., Ltd.).
■ Main Survey Results
【What expenses are covered?】
Most programs focus on purchasing machinery or production equipment, allowing consideration to begin with the introduction of the hardware itself.
There are many programs available to bundle the purchase costs when replacing air conditioning, commercial machinery, or production line equipment. The 'FY2026 Miyagi Prefecture SME Digitalization Support Project (Regular Frame)' (with a cap of 2.5 million yen) covers system construction costs and expert consultation fees in addition to equipment/machinery purchase costs, allowing equipment introduction and IT conversion to be managed within the same application.
There is also a certain number of programs targeting expert consultation and system construction costs, and in some cases, expenses for external help while choosing equipment are also covered. Even if you haven't decided exactly how much to spend, looking at programs with a wide range of eligible expenses helps expand your options.
■ Full Report (PDF Version)
For those who want to check 'if there are programs that cover labor costs' or 'if equipment upgrades and hiring can be applied for together,' the full PDF report detailing trends by expense category and subsidy rates is available.
▶ Survey Page (PDF Download Available): https://hojokin-kensaku.jp/report/Rcd1731209a
While subsidies are often thought to be limited to purchasing machinery and equipment, looking into programs that also cover labor costs, such as salaries and training for newly hired staff, reveals opportunities to consolidate equipment upgrades and personnel expansion in a single application.
■ Summary of Analysis Results
(1) For those considering replacing machinery or systems, there are many programs where out-of-pocket expenses can be reduced by more than half. Since options can be found starting from small investments under 1 million yen, listing 'what you want to introduce' first makes it easier to narrow down the choices.
(2) Programs that cover not only equipment and machinery purchase costs but also the salaries and training expenses of newly hired staff are emerging. Because these can be used in tandem with capital investment or business succession initiatives, coordinating personnel expansion plans with equipment plans broadens the scope of potential applications.
(3) The majority of programs are open to applications from sole proprietors. Searching by 'type of expense' rather than by legal entity type allows for faster discovery of potential matches.
■ Survey Overview
Survey Target: Subsidy and support programs that opened for application from 2026/05/17 to 2026/05/23.
Survey Method: Aggregation and analysis of public information listed on Hojokin Flash.
Survey Purpose: To organize newly launched support programs from the perspective of eligible expenses and to visualize programs that cover costs beyond equipment.
Survey Period: 2026/05/17 to 2026/05/23 (based on application start date).
Survey Area: Nationwide.
Number of Cases: 172.
Survey Body: Hojokin Flash (Operated by Franca AI Co., Ltd.).
■ Main Survey Results
【What expenses are covered?】
Most programs focus on purchasing machinery or production equipment, allowing consideration to begin with the introduction of the hardware itself.
There are many programs available to bundle the purchase costs when replacing air conditioning, commercial machinery, or production line equipment. The 'FY2026 Miyagi Prefecture SME Digitalization Support Project (Regular Frame)' (with a cap of 2.5 million yen) covers system construction costs and expert consultation fees in addition to equipment/machinery purchase costs, allowing equipment introduction and IT conversion to be managed within the same application.
There is also a certain number of programs targeting expert consultation and system construction costs, and in some cases, expenses for external help while choosing equipment are also covered. Even if you haven't decided exactly how much to spend, looking at programs with a wide range of eligible expenses helps expand your options.
■ Full Report (PDF Version)
For those who want to check 'if there are programs that cover labor costs' or 'if equipment upgrades and hiring can be applied for together,' the full PDF report detailing trends by expense category and subsidy rates is available.
▶ Survey Page (PDF Download Available): https://hojokin-kensaku.jp/report/Rcd1731209a
FAQ
「補助金フラッシュ」とはどのようなサービスですか？
全国の補助金・助成金・支援制度のAI検索および申請支援を提供するサービスです。
今回分析された支援制度の件数はいくつですか？
2026年5月17日から2026年5月23日までに公募が開始された172件を分析しています。
設備投資だけでなく、人件費も補助の対象になりますか？
はい、採用した人の給与や研修にかかる人件費まで対象に含む制度が存在します。
個人事業主でも補助金に応募できますか？
調査によると、公募中の制度の多くは個人事業主の方でも応募が可能とされています。
調査結果の詳細（PDF）はどこから確認できますか？
補助金フラッシュの調査ページ（https://hojokin-kensaku.jp/report/Rcd1731209a）からダウンロード可能です。