Covid-19 Crisis: How Freelancers in Japan Can Get Up To 1 Million Yen Subsidy From The Government

[Updated on July 2, 2020]

On 13th of April 2020, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) announced that there will be an available cash subsidy for small companies and freelancers if their income dropped because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Who is eligible to apply for this subsidy?

You are qualified to apply if you are either a small company (capital stock is less than 1 billion yen) or a freelancer whose income in (at least) one month between January to December 2020 decreased by more than 50% compared to the same month’s income last year.

How much can I get?

Computation Formula

[annual gross income in 2019] – [decreased 1 month gross income x 12]

Example: For a freelancer with a gross annual income of ¥3,000,000 last year (monthly income was ¥250,000) whose income is reduced to ¥100,000 this April 2020, his subsidy computation will be as follows:

[¥3,000,000] – [¥100,000 x 12] = ¥1,800,000

The maximum amount one can get is ¥1,000,000 so in this example, the freelancer gets ¥1,000,000.

What are the requirements for application?

 Here are things you need to prepare if you’re a freelancer;

• Valid ID (e.g. driver’s license, residence card)
• Bank passbook
• A stamped copy of your 2019 tax return form
• Account book of the month with the decreased income*

* This is a record of your income or sales. If you’re unsure how to make this document, let me help you.

Where will I submit my application?

The application will be submitted online. However, METI is also planning to set up help desks which will be accessible by appointment.

When can I expect to receive the subsidy?

They started accepting applications from May 1. According to the news, if approved, the grant will be received around 2 weeks after your application.

Last June, I have assisted some people with their application and in my experience, it only took less than a week before they received their money, so it means the waiting period really varies for every individual. 

Update: This July, there has been an expansion of scope of this subsidy. Officials say people who will be eligible because of the expansion may take more time with the approval period because they require more documents.

NEED HELP?

Although this financial aid is open to all nationalities, the application has no English version. If you are considering to get help, make sure it’s a trusted Japanese and English speaker.

I am offering a full assistance service for this and other subsidies. From preparation, to translation, to creating documents, and the actual online application, I’ll be with you every step of the way. Click here for the complete details.

To date, I have helped several clients successfully receive this subsidy (university instructors, freelance ministers, businessmen and women, models, school owners, filmmakers, IT professionals, among others). Most of them were skeptical at first and appreciated that I offer a “money back guarantee”. They couldn’t believe how real it is until they checked their bank accounts and see the actual digits. As of August 1, the success rate of this service that I’m offering is 100% and most of them got the maximum amount of 1million.

So are you eligible to apply? If you are still unsure, send me a message and I will help you confirm your eligibility free of charge. Let’s start talking! ٩( ᐛ )و

Stay safe,

AKIKO