Acceptance Period for "Special Fund for SMEs in Specific Areas" Extended by One Year Following Nuclear Accident – Applications Accepted Until End of March 2027

The Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation, Japan (President: Tadashi Miyakawa; Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo), in cooperation with Fukushima Prefecture, has decided to extend the acceptance period for the "Special Fund for SMEs in Specific Areas," a long-term, interest-free loan program aimed at supporting business continuity and restart for SMEs with business offices in areas affected by the nuclear power plant accident, by one year, until the end of March 2027.

Since June 2011, SME Support, Japan and Fukushima Prefecture have been implementing the "Special Fund for SMEs in Specific Areas" project, utilizing SME Support, Japan's advanced financing framework. This project provides long-term, interest-free loans for business funds necessary for SMEs with business offices in areas affected by the nuclear power plant accident to continue or restart their operations.

The acceptance period for this loan has been repeatedly extended, with applications previously accepted until the end of March this year. However, taking into account the situation in the affected areas and requests from Fukushima Prefecture and other related organizations, the period will be further extended by one year, with applications accepted until the end of March 2027.

SME Support, Japan will continue to work with Fukushima Prefecture and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry to support the business continuity and restart of SMEs in the nuclear power plant accident-affected areas, even 15 years after the Great East Japan Earthquake.

For an overview of the system (eligible borrowers, uses of funds, limits, period, etc.), please refer to the attached "Overview of the Special Fund for SMEs in Specific Areas."