Status of digitization of procedures for major benefits and subsidies
On Monday, April 27, 2020, the Cabinet Office of the Government of Japan published the following status for the digitization of the relevant subsidy schemes available to Japanese citizens and corporations.
Extraordinary special salary for child-raising households
Apply online? Except for civil servants, no procedure required
Seal required? N/A
Document submission required? N/A
Remarks: Payment period varies by local government, however, most are scheduled for June
Sustainable benefits (METI)
Apply online? Yes (also establishing support counter)
Seal required? Not necessary
Document submission required? Tax return documents, business income book, identity verification documents (sole proprietor), etc. (electronic file submission)
Remarks: Payment will start on May 8 at the earliest
National tax deferral (Ministry of Finance)
Apply online? Yes (or postal mail, face-to-face)
Seal required? Electronic signature (also postal, face-to-face stamp)
Document submission required? Documents about income, assets (submitting electronic files and oral explanations are possible)
Remarks: Taxes for which the payment deadline is from February 1, 2020 to January 31, 2021 (retrospective application is also possible)
Local tax deferral (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications)
Apply online? No (only postal mail, face-to-face)
Seal required? Yes
Document submission required? Documents about income, assets (verbal explanation is also possible)
Remarks: Taxes for which the payment deadline is from February 1, 2020 to January 31, 2021 (retrospective application is also possible)
Company-led babysitter support project (Cabinet Office)
Apply online? Yes (e-mail or postal mail)
Seal required? Yes
Document submission required? Social insurance premium receipt, etc.
(submitting electronic files is possible)
Remarks: From April onwards for the time being, the discount will be applied retroactively even before the procedure is completed
New system for studying higher education, loan-type scholarship (MEXT)
Apply online? No (postal mail, or partially online)
Seal required? Yes
Document submission required? MyNumber confirmation documents, etc.
Remarks: Apply from April to June, support sequentially from June (retroactive from April)
Support money for elementary school leave
Apply online? No (postal mail)
Seal required? Yes (or signature)
Document submission required? Resident’s card, evidence documents
Remarks: Payment as soon as possible after application
Special loan for personal emergency small funds (Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare)
Apply online? No (postal mail)
Seal required? Yes
Document submission required? Identification documents, resident card, bankbook, etc.
Remarks: About 1 week from application to support
Housing security benefits (Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare)
Apply online? No (postal mail or face-to-face)
Seal required? Yes
Document submission required? Identity verification documents, documents about income, assets
Remarks: Payment after interviews and adjustments with the landlord (there are regular interviews during the payment period)
Employment adjustment subsidy (Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare)
Apply online? No (postal mail or face-to-face [Hello Work])
Seal required? Yes
Document submission required? Evidence documents such as leave agreement, attendance register, wage register, etc.
Remarks: Apply after the holiday period ends, payment within 1 month from application
Job Seeker Support Training System
Apply online? No (face-to-face [Hello Work])
Seal required? Yes (or signature)
Document submission required? MyNumber confirmation documents, resident card, income certificate, attendance certificate, etc.
Remarks: In principle, paid once a month after the start of training (with monthly interviews)
Special loans provided by Japan Finance Corporation (Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, etc.)
Apply online? Partially (After mailing / online application, face-to-face interview will take place)
Seal required? Yes
Document submission required? Tax return, business outline, registration certificate, etc.
Remarks: There is no description about the period from application to support
Safety net guarantee by the Credit Guarantee Association (METI)
Apply online? No (face-to-face, proceed at a bank, etc. after approval of the municipality)
Seal required? Yes
Document submission required? Tax return, registration certificate, seal certificate, etc.
Remarks: Credit guarantee examination period is about 3 to 5 days on average
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