Application Begins for the Fiscal Year 2026 Noto Startup Attraction Local Demonstration Support Project Subsidy!

1. What is "Noto Star"?

In the Noto Peninsula Earthquake that occurred in Reiwa 6 (2024), new technologies from startups, such as water circulation systems (showers, hand-washing stands) and supply delivery by drones, contributed to recovery from the disaster. In the future, for creative reconstruction, it will be important to attract startups from across the country with new technologies and new services that carry out projects utilizing the industrial characteristics and local resources of Noto, or address the local issues of Noto.

In the Noto region, many traditional technologies such as crafts and agriculture that utilize the topography and climate exist, handed down from generation to generation, and are still rooted in daily life. To sublimate these into the next generation, we support the creation of new industries by naming people who connect the Noto region with startups, and spin both tradition and the future together, as "Noto Star Spinners (Noto Star / Tsumugu-Hito)."

Starting from fiscal year 2025 (Reiwa 7), as a seed-sowing for the future, we have launched a project to investigate and select promising startups from across the country that are expected to expand their businesses in Noto (addressing local challenges in Noto and utilizing regional resources) and to provide hands-on support in brushing up business plans for demonstration and expansion in Noto. (Noto Star Hands-on Support)

Starting from fiscal year 2026 (Reiwa 8), we will support the demonstration and other efforts of businesses newly starting up in Noto by providing a new subsidy. (Noto Star Subsidy)

2. Purpose of the Project

With the aim of resolving challenges faced by Noto and creating new industries toward recovery and reconstruction from the Reiwa 6 (2024) Noto Peninsula Earthquake and the Reiwa 6 (2024) Oku-Noto Heavy Rain, this project supports demonstrations and other initiatives of startups that possess advanced technologies or innovative ideas and conduct business development in Noto in cooperation with local operators within the prefecture.

3. Eligible Applicants

Businesses that meet all of the following criteria are eligible:

- Startups that align with "2. Purpose of the Project." - Startups that have been selected for the "Project for Attracting Startups to Noto Investigation Business" by the time of application, or startups that already have a network in Noto and can propose concrete solutions to local challenges. - Businesses that conduct or intend to conduct business development in cooperation with local operators (enterprises, organizations, etc.) in Nanao City, Wajima City, Suzu City, Shika Town, Anamizu Town, or Noto Town (hereinafter referred to as the "Noto Region"). *Must not have compliance issues. The applicant or corporate officers must not be members of antisocial forces such as organized crime groups, or have relationships with them.

4. Eligible Projects

Among the projects conducted in cooperation with operators (enterprises, organizations, etc.) in the Noto Region, the following projects are eligible for the subsidy:

- Demonstration and evaluation (tests for performance improvement, data collection, sample provision and evaluation to customers, etc.) - Product/service improvement (improvements for higher value-addition of products or services, etc.)

5. Subsidy Details

(1) Eligible Period: From the date of the grant decision to March 31, Reiwa 9 (2027) (2) Subsidy Amount: Up to 10,000 thousand yen/year (A maximum total of 30,000 thousand yen over 3 years is assumed, subject to selection each fiscal year) (3) Subsidy Rate: Within 3/4

6. Schedule

- June 12, Reiwa 8 (2026) (Friday) 17:00: Application Deadline - Early July Reiwa 8 (2026) (Tentative): Screening Committee - Mid-July Reiwa 8 (2026) (Tentative): Determination of Recipients / Start of Subsidy Period - March 31, Reiwa 9 (2027) (Wednesday): End of Subsidy Period

7. Application Guidelines / Flyer

- Application Guidelines - Flyer

8. Contact Information

Next-Generation Industry Creation Group, Industrial Policy Division, Department of Commerce, Industry and Labour, Ishikawa Prefecture Address: 920-8580 Ishikawa Prefecture Email: sanren-sd@pref.ishikawa.lg.jp TEL: 076-225-1513