Hojokin Flash Survey: Over 80% of Subsidies for Business Software Introduction Costs Can Be Applied for Together with Equipment Purchases
Hojokin Flash, a Japanese subsidy and grant search service, analyzed 284 subsidy programs targeting business software introduction costs. The survey revealed that over 80% allow combined application with equipment purchases, and about 30% offer small-amount programs or cover expert consultation fees.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 27, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 27, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 27, 2026 at 11:31 (59 min after Collected)
Hojokin Flash (https://hojokin-kensaku.jp/), a service that allows users to search for subsidies and grants across Japan using AI, compiled and analyzed 284 publicly available subsidy, grant, and support programs (those including software and system purchase costs as eligible expenses) registered with the service as of April 21, 2026.
While it is often thought that "subsidies cannot be used for software introduction costs" or "equipment and software must be applied for separately," in reality, over 80% of programs targeting software and system purchase costs also cover equipment and machinery purchase costs, allowing for a combined application for software and related equipment under a single program.
Summary of Analysis Results:
(1) For those considering the introduction of POS or business software, the majority of cases allow for combined application of software costs and compatible equipment purchase costs under the same program. By first organizing "which software to install" and "necessary terminals" as a set, you can significantly narrow down the candidates.
(2) Approximately 30% of programs are available for small amounts of 1 million yen or less, a level where even a single software package costing several hundred thousand yen can be tried. Programs with subsidy rates of 1/2 to 3/4 are available as concrete examples, so by first determining the maximum amount you can use this year, you can quickly narrow down eligible programs.
(3) Even for those unfamiliar with system implementation, approximately 30% of programs cover consulting fees for experts. Even if there is no in-house IT staff, design consulting fees for external consultants can be applied for together, and programs are available that provide integrated support from planning to implementation.
Survey Overview:
Target: Publicly offered subsidies and support programs that cover software and system purchase costs.
Method: Aggregation and analysis of public information published on Hojokin Flash.
Purpose: To understand the distribution of publicly offered programs that include software and system purchase costs as eligible expenses, by expense category, amount range, and purpose, and to support businesses considering IT adoption in selecting programs.
Period: As of April 21, 2026 (snapshot).
Area: Nationwide.
Number of Programs Surveyed: 284 programs (out of 3,515 total publicly offered programs, those including software and system purchase costs as eligible expenses).
Survey Body: Hojokin Flash (Operated by Franca AI Co., Ltd.).
Main Survey Results:
What costs are covered?
Source: Hojokin Flash (internal database) / Date of aggregation: April 21, 2026.
Over 80% of programs targeting software and system purchase costs also cover equipment and machinery purchase costs simultaneously.
When considering the introduction of POS or business software, cases where the purchase costs of compatible terminals and peripheral devices can also be applied for together are central. For example, the Yasugi City Small and Medium Enterprise Digitalization Support Project Subsidy (Shimane Prefecture, up to 1 million yen, subsidy rate 1/2) includes service fees, outsourcing/contracting fees, and expert remuneration in addition to software/system purchase costs and equipment/machinery purchase costs as eligible expenses under the same program.
Approximately 30% of programs also cover building, construction, and renovation costs, meaning wiring work and shelf installation associated with equipment installation can also be covered under the same program. Approximately 30% of programs also cover expert remuneration and consulting fees, with programs available that cover even the design consulting fees for system introduction.
What purposes can it be used for?
Source: Hojokin Flash (internal database) / Date of aggregation: April 21, 2026.
Programs aimed at improving productivity, such as business automation and systemization of order/inventory management, are central.
By purpose, "productivity improvement" accounts for approximately 60%, and "digital utilization" accounts for approximately 40%. There are 106 programs that combine both purposes, so if you want to promote business efficiency and digitalization together, you can narrow down candidates by specifying both purposes.
Programs that include "market development" as a purpose also account for approximately one-quarter of the total. For example, the Small and Medium Enterprise Wage Increase Environment Improvement Emergency Support Project Subsidy (Digital Utilization category) (Iwate Prefecture, up to 2 million yen, subsidy rate 2/3) covers not only software introduction but also promotional tool production costs and training fees, showing cases where systemization and strengthening sales activities can be advanced under the same application.
How much can be applied for?
Source: Hojokin Flash (internal database) / Date of aggregation: April 21, 2026.
Programs are available for investment scales ranging from the introduction of a single software package costing several hundred thousand yen to system construction on a scale of tens of millions of yen.
Small-amount programs of 1 million yen or less account for approximately 30% of the total, allowing applications for the introduction of familiar business software such as POS software and invoicing management tools. Programs with high subsidy rates, such as the Digital Technology Utilization Support Subsidy (Tokyo Metropolitan Government, up to 500,000 yen, subsidy rate 3/4), are included, and in cases of 500,000 yen software introduction, the self-pay burden can be reduced to around 120,000 yen.
The 1 million to 5 million yen range accounts for the largest portion, approximately 40%, with programs available for introducing multiple software packages or software and equipment sets. Programs exceeding 10 million yen also account for approximately 20%.
While it is often thought that "subsidies cannot be used for software introduction costs" or "equipment and software must be applied for separately," in reality, over 80% of programs targeting software and system purchase costs also cover equipment and machinery purchase costs, allowing for a combined application for software and related equipment under a single program.
Summary of Analysis Results:
(1) For those considering the introduction of POS or business software, the majority of cases allow for combined application of software costs and compatible equipment purchase costs under the same program. By first organizing "which software to install" and "necessary terminals" as a set, you can significantly narrow down the candidates.
(2) Approximately 30% of programs are available for small amounts of 1 million yen or less, a level where even a single software package costing several hundred thousand yen can be tried. Programs with subsidy rates of 1/2 to 3/4 are available as concrete examples, so by first determining the maximum amount you can use this year, you can quickly narrow down eligible programs.
(3) Even for those unfamiliar with system implementation, approximately 30% of programs cover consulting fees for experts. Even if there is no in-house IT staff, design consulting fees for external consultants can be applied for together, and programs are available that provide integrated support from planning to implementation.
Survey Overview:
Target: Publicly offered subsidies and support programs that cover software and system purchase costs.
Method: Aggregation and analysis of public information published on Hojokin Flash.
Purpose: To understand the distribution of publicly offered programs that include software and system purchase costs as eligible expenses, by expense category, amount range, and purpose, and to support businesses considering IT adoption in selecting programs.
Period: As of April 21, 2026 (snapshot).
Area: Nationwide.
Number of Programs Surveyed: 284 programs (out of 3,515 total publicly offered programs, those including software and system purchase costs as eligible expenses).
Survey Body: Hojokin Flash (Operated by Franca AI Co., Ltd.).
Main Survey Results:
What costs are covered?
Source: Hojokin Flash (internal database) / Date of aggregation: April 21, 2026.
Over 80% of programs targeting software and system purchase costs also cover equipment and machinery purchase costs simultaneously.
When considering the introduction of POS or business software, cases where the purchase costs of compatible terminals and peripheral devices can also be applied for together are central. For example, the Yasugi City Small and Medium Enterprise Digitalization Support Project Subsidy (Shimane Prefecture, up to 1 million yen, subsidy rate 1/2) includes service fees, outsourcing/contracting fees, and expert remuneration in addition to software/system purchase costs and equipment/machinery purchase costs as eligible expenses under the same program.
Approximately 30% of programs also cover building, construction, and renovation costs, meaning wiring work and shelf installation associated with equipment installation can also be covered under the same program. Approximately 30% of programs also cover expert remuneration and consulting fees, with programs available that cover even the design consulting fees for system introduction.
What purposes can it be used for?
Source: Hojokin Flash (internal database) / Date of aggregation: April 21, 2026.
Programs aimed at improving productivity, such as business automation and systemization of order/inventory management, are central.
By purpose, "productivity improvement" accounts for approximately 60%, and "digital utilization" accounts for approximately 40%. There are 106 programs that combine both purposes, so if you want to promote business efficiency and digitalization together, you can narrow down candidates by specifying both purposes.
Programs that include "market development" as a purpose also account for approximately one-quarter of the total. For example, the Small and Medium Enterprise Wage Increase Environment Improvement Emergency Support Project Subsidy (Digital Utilization category) (Iwate Prefecture, up to 2 million yen, subsidy rate 2/3) covers not only software introduction but also promotional tool production costs and training fees, showing cases where systemization and strengthening sales activities can be advanced under the same application.
How much can be applied for?
Source: Hojokin Flash (internal database) / Date of aggregation: April 21, 2026.
Programs are available for investment scales ranging from the introduction of a single software package costing several hundred thousand yen to system construction on a scale of tens of millions of yen.
Small-amount programs of 1 million yen or less account for approximately 30% of the total, allowing applications for the introduction of familiar business software such as POS software and invoicing management tools. Programs with high subsidy rates, such as the Digital Technology Utilization Support Subsidy (Tokyo Metropolitan Government, up to 500,000 yen, subsidy rate 3/4), are included, and in cases of 500,000 yen software introduction, the self-pay burden can be reduced to around 120,000 yen.
The 1 million to 5 million yen range accounts for the largest portion, approximately 40%, with programs available for introducing multiple software packages or software and equipment sets. Programs exceeding 10 million yen also account for approximately 20%.