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- Services Launched for System for Filing Requests for Subsidies Called “jGrants 2.0”
Services Launched for System for Filing Requests for Subsidies Called “jGrants 2.0”
January 4, 2021
In December 2019, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) started operation of a system for filing requests for subsidies called “jGrants 1.0” in order to enhance the efficiency of request filing procedures for businesses, and over 100 requests for subsidies have been filed by making use of the system to date.
However, as it is difficult to post some information on subsides on jGrants 1.0 because of the limited functionality and other factors, causing difficulties for users in gaining smooth access to some systems and other services, METI developed “jGrants 2.0”.
jGrants 2.0 provides dramatically improved services in terms of user-friendliness for applicants, systems of the secretariat and other issues. Through providing this system, METI aims to not only deal with requests for subsidies filed under a variety of subsidy projects and encourage more ministries, agencies and municipalities to post information on a greater variety of subsidies on the system, but also to improve user-friendliness for businesses in electronically filing requests amid the spread of the novel coronavirus disease.
1. Outline of the system “jGrants”
Conventionally, in filing requests for major subsidies, businesses have mainly been required to submit or through the mail, a large amount of paperwork, and these essential but cumbersome procedures have created an environment where businesses cannot smoothly file such requests even if they wish to gain access to subsidies.
With the international community rapidly advancing the digitalization of administrative procedures, including filing requests for subsidies, and as it is urgent for people to address a “new mode of daily life” amid the spread of the novel coronavirus disease, METI released “jGrants 2.0,” a versatile system for filing requests for subsidies including upgraded capabilities of jGrants 1.0, by which businesses are able to complete all procedures online ranging from answering calls for subsidy projects, to post-procedures following the completion of the projects.
The system provides upgraded capabilities to make the system available to a larger variety of subsidy projects and this is expected to contribute to improving user-friendliness for businesses.
2. Advantages that businesses may enjoy in filing requests and other documents through jGrants
- Businesses are able to access jGrants to find subsidy projects provided by the government of Japan and municipalities which are posted on the system, and to collect a variety of information on such subsidies through a one-stop service.
- They are able to file requests for subsidies anytime, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and from any location.
- The system is expected to help businesses cut costs that they have borne until now, e.g., traveling time, transportation fees and postal fees.
- Under the once-only principle, businesses are able to reduce burdens from repeated input of information that they have already registered since the system automatically transcribes the information that businesses have input in filing requests for subsidies in the past and also automatically inputs the basic information of applicant businesses in accordance with their IDs, called “gBizID,” which will be described below.
- Using a gBizID, businesses are able to skip the traditional step of affixing of seals on documents and complete the procedures without delivering any paper documents.
- Businesses are able to ascertain the real-time progress in examination or processing of their requests, thereby swiftly completing the procedures.
3. Details of the subsidy projects that the system targets
METI has been preparing to introduce over 100 subsidy projects under the jurisdiction of METI into the system under the FY2021 Initial Budget, aiming to make use of the system for these projects. Moreover, METI, in cooperation with the Cabinet Secretariat and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, will promote the utilization of the system not only for METI subsidy projects but also for those of a variety of ministries or municipalities, as needed.
METI will update a “List of Subsidy Projects” for the system once preparations for calls for applicants for respective subsidy projects is complete. The list is a section of the jGrants website showing the names of subsidy projects.
Note: Please note that businesses are required to continue to make use of jGrants 1.0 if they intend to complete procedures for subsidy projects which are posted on the website as those under the FY2020 Budget. Systems from jGrants 1.0 will be transferred to jGrants 2.0 by the end of March 2021, and then jGrants 1.0 will be closed.
4. Recommendation of early acquisition of gBizID under the framework of a common authentication infrastructure for legal persons
To access jGrants, businesses are required to obtain a gBizID, which is an authentication system that allows businesses to access a variety of administrative services through a single account. Using this common account that is usable for a variety of services, businesses are able to avoid repeated input of their “basic information on legal persons” (including SMEs), e.g., company name and address.
gBizID is useful in completing not only requests for subsidies but also the procedures for companies’ social security and those for support measures targeting a variety of SMEs. METI is scheduled to expand the types of procedures that the system provides for businesses. For more information, visit the website below.
The examination procedure for obtaining the ID requires around one to two weeks. Accordingly, METI recommends that businesses obtain their IDs before any call for a subsidy project opens.
Division in Charge
IT Project Office, Commerce and Information Policy Bureau