Hikaru Takahashi Office, Certified Administrative Procedures Legal Specialist Product Lineup

The SME labor-saving investment subsidy (general type) supports SMEs facing labor shortages in introducing equipment and systems tailored to their sites. Plans to improve labor productivity and raise wages are basic requirements, and the maximum subsidy depends on the number of employees. The program centers on machinery; buildings and foundation work are not eligible. Treatment of used equipment and simple replacements also differs from other subsidies. After selection, effect reports follow the grant application and performance report. Our administrative scrivener, a former chemical-company researcher and Certified Skilled Worker of Financial Planning (Grade 1), learns which work on your site you want to automate, separates eligible from ineligible expenses, and builds the labor productivity and wage figures into the business plan.

• Legal
• Management consultant/Small business consultant
• Other services

The small business sustainability subsidy supports small businesses' efforts to develop sales channels and improve productivity. For manufacturers, businesses with 20 or fewer regular employees are eligible. It can be used for a wide range of sales expansion costs such as exhibiting at trade shows, making flyers and building websites. Applicants must obtain a business support plan from their local society or chamber of commerce and industry, and the deadline for requesting it comes before the application deadline. Website-related costs are capped, and expenses ordered before the grant decision are not eligible. We learn about your strengths and sales expansion plans and support the management plan and subsidy project plan. We also handle change procedures and performance reports after selection.

• Legal
• Management consultant/Small business consultant
• Other services

The business succession and M&A subsidy supports capital investment triggered by business succession, fees for M&A professionals, post-merger integration, and costs of closing a business and starting again. There are four categories (succession promotion, professional services, PMI promotion, and closure and new challenge), each with different uses and eligible expenses. The right category depends on the stage, whether preparing succession to family members, planning to buy or sell a company or business, or integrating plants after a takeover. Because the subsidy is paid afterwards, financing must also be planned in advance. Our administrative scrivener, a Certified Skilled Worker of Financial Planning (Grade 1), learns about your succession plan and timing, chooses the category, and handles the business plan through to the grant application and performance report. Share valuation and tax calculations are handled together with tax accountants.

• Legal
• Management consultant/Small business consultant
• Other services

A management innovation plan is a plan for new business activities, such as developing new products or new production methods, approved by the prefectural governor (SME Management Enhancement Act Article 14). Numerical targets such as growth in value added must be set according to the plan period. Approval opens access to low-interest loans, special credit guarantees and sales channel support, and may count as bonus points for subsidies. In Osaka Prefecture, approval follows a hearing and review committee after the application. Our administrative scrivener, a former chemical-company researcher and Certified Skilled Worker of Financial Planning (Grade 1), clarifies which parts of your initiative count as new business activities, and handles the numerical targets, application documents and change procedures after approval.

• Legal
• Management consultant/Small business consultant
• Other services

Two programs reduce the tax burden of capital investment: the business enhancement plan and the advanced equipment introduction plan. Certification of a business enhancement plan allows a choice of immediate depreciation or tax credits under the SME management enhancement tax system. Certification of an advanced equipment introduction plan reduces fixed asset tax on newly acquired equipment. In principle, both require procedures before acquiring the equipment. Type A of the tax system needs a certificate from an industry association, and Type B needs a confirmation from the Regional Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry on the expected return on investment, which also takes time to issue. The advanced equipment introduction plan requires a prior confirmation from a certified management innovation support institution. Our administrative scrivener, a Certified Skilled Worker of Financial Planning (Grade 1), learns about your equipment and acquisition timing, clarifies which programs apply, and prepares the plans and Type B confirmation documents, as well as change procedures. Tax calculations are handled together with tax accountants.

• Legal
• Management consultant/Small business consultant
• Other services

A business continuity enhancement plan is a plan in which an SME sets out its preparedness for natural disasters and other risks, certified by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (commonly called BCP certification). The plan covers hazard checks, initial response, advance measures for people, assets, money and information, training and review, and the promotion structure. Advanced numerical targets are not required. Certification leads to subsidy bonus points, special depreciation for certain disaster-prevention equipment and low-interest loans. To use it for a subsidy deadline, apply early, allowing for the review period. Our administrative scrivener, whose own office obtained this certification, learns about your plant location and equipment and handles everything from hazard checks to the plan and electronic application.

• Legal
• Management consultant/Small business consultant
• Other services

DX certification is a national program certifying businesses that are ready to transform through digital technology (Act on Promotion of Information Processing). Management must clarify how it will transform the company using data and digital technology, and publish its vision, strategy, promotion structure and indicators for measuring progress. The main work is not the application documents but deciding what to publish. After certification, renewal is required every two years, and certification can be used for subsidy bonus points and explaining your efforts to customers. Based on our experience applying for DX certification for our own office, we handle everything from organizing your management policy and drafting the public page to the application and renewals.

• Legal
• Management consultant/Small business consultant
• Other services