A Quick Guide to Tokyo’s Telework Promotion Subsidy
In response to COVID-19 control measures, companies in Tokyo and throughout Japan have been encouraged to implement remote work or telework policies.
To support those efforts, in May 2021, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government launched their Telework Promotion Subsidy テレワーク促進助成金 = telework sokushin jyouseikin, available to SMEs in Tokyo.
Currently, this subsidy is open for applications—but will close on December 24, 2021.
This article serves as a quick guide to assess if you are eligible, what you can expect in terms of subsidy amounts, reporting guidelines, and how to apply.
Is your company eligible for Tokyo’s Telework Promotion Subsidy?
Eligibility is the first and most pressing question most companies will want to know.
According to official explanations (Tokyo Foundation for Employment Services), here are the requirements for applicants:
Small and medium-sized companies (including sole proprietors) that employ 2~999 workers on a regular basis.
Must have their head office or place of business in Tokyo.
Must be registered with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's "Declaration System for Companies Practicing the Telework Tokyo Rules" 「テレワーク東京ルール実践企業宣言制度」 (by the time of the performance report).* A record-keeping system that logs companies’ rules regarding remote work (such as setting telework days and telework weeks, teleworking during childcare and nursing care periods, etc.). Registration does not impose any obligations.
Additionally, please note that companies that receive or have received the following grants (subsidies) from the Tokyo Foundation for Employment Services 東京しごと財団 are not eligible to apply for the Telework Promotion Subsidy. This includes companies that have applied for/or are currently applying for the following grants:
「テレワーク定着促進助成金」Subsidy for promoting the establishment of telework, implemented in FY 2020
「事業継続緊急対策（テレワーク）助成金」Subsidy for urgent measures for business continuity (telework), implemented in FY 2019 to FY 2020
「テレワーク活用・働く女性応援助成金（テレワーク活用推進コース／テレワーク機器導入事業）」Subsidy for supporting telework use and working women (telework use promotion course/telework equipment introduction project) implemented in FY 2018 to FY 2019
「女性の活躍推進等職場環境整備助成金／多様な勤務形態の実現事業（1）在宅勤務、モバイル勤務、リモートワーク等を可能とする情報通信機器等の導入による多様な勤務形態の実現のための環境整備」Subsidy for improvement of workplace environment for promotion of women's activities, etc. / Project for realizing various forms of work (1) Environmental improvement for realizing various forms of work by introducing information and communication devices, etc., that enable telecommuting, mobile work, remote work, etc., implemented in FY 2016 to FY 2017
「はじめてテレワーク（テレワーク導入促進整備補助金）」Hajimete Telework (Subsidy for the Promotion of Telework Introduction) implemented from FY 2019 to FY2020. Note: After the "Performance Report" is completed, the part related to expansion can be applied for with this subsidy.
How much will my company receive with Tokyo’s Telework Promotion Subsidy?
Tokyo’s Telework Promotion Subsidy covers expenses for improving the environment for telework through the purchase of equipment and software, etc.
For SMEs with 30~999 employees, the grant’s upper limit is 2.5 million yen, covering up to 1/2 of telework investment costs.
For SMEs with 2~30 employees, the grant’s upper limit is 1.5 million yen, covering up to 2/3 of telework investment costs.
The subsidy covers the company’s investment in the following purchases:
Purchase of goods, etc., limited to between 1,000 yen and 100,000 yen per unit, including tax, such as PCs, tablets, smartphones, peripherals, and accessories, etc.
Business software with a unit price of 100,000 yen or more, including tax, such as financial accounting software, CAD software, etc.
Installation and setup costs for system equipment and supplies, etc., for VPN routers, maintenance, consignment fees for maintenance of system equipment, operation support cost at the time of system introduction, etc.
Equipment leasing and rental fees for computers, etc.
Software usage or licensing fees, etc.
According to officials, there have been cases where applicants have applied for equipment that does not fall under the category of expenses covered by the subsidy. Before applying for the grant, please check the application guidelines prior to submitting your application.
For a full list and explanation of purchases that do not fall under this subsidy, refer to 助成対象外経費となる機器等の例（PDF：881KB).
How to apply for the Telework Promotion Subsidy
There are two ways you can submit application documents: by mail or by electronic application. There are some variations to the paperwork format for each method, so you will need to first determine which method you will be using.
Application via mail. If you don’t have a gBizID Prime account or if you wish an accountant or someone else to apply on your behalf, you will need to use the mail-in method. Explanation of mail-in method (Japanese PDF).
Application online. If you are applying on your own behalf, you will need a gBizID Prime account to apply via the J-Grants website. Please note that obtaining a gBizID Prime account takes 2 to 3 weeks due to screening, so factor that in when deciding on which method to use. Explanation of online application method (Japanese PDF).
For both application methods, the closing date is by the end-of-day on December 24, 2021.
What forms and paperwork will I need to fill out to apply for the Telework Promotion Subsidy?
Some documents will depend on whether you are a corporation or a sole proprietor, but in principle you will need to submit the following:
事業計画書兼支給申請書（様式第１号）と事業所一覧 There are separate forms for SMEs depending on employee number. Go here to find the correct form.
誓約書 様式第２号 Written declaration/oath.
雇用保險被保險者資格取得等 確認通知書 Notification of eligibility for employment insurance, etc.
就業規則 Work regulations.
会社案内又は会社概要 (ホームページの写し等) Company profile or company overview (picture of website, etc.).
商業・法人登記簿謄本（履歴事項全部証明書）A copy of your company’s touki; or if you are a sole proprietor, your kaigyo todoke and a certificate of residence.
水道光熱費の請求書又は領収書、賃貸借契約書等 Utility bills or receipts, lease agreements, etc.
法人都民税及び法人事業税の納税証明書 Certificate of tax payment for corporate inhabitant tax and corporate enterprise tax; for sole proprietors, individual inhabitant tax (for residence and business) and individual metropolitan inhabitant's tax (for residence and place of business).
テレワーク環境構築図 Your plan for creating a telework environment.
見積書（事業計画書兼支給申請書に記載されている購入費用がわかるもの）Written estimate (showing the purchase cost as indicated in the project plan and application for payment).
A step-by-step of the application process
The following are the steps to take to submit your application for Tokyo’s Telework Promotion Subsidy.
Step 1. Prepare and submit the application forms.
These will be examined by the Tokyo Foundation for Employment Services, and if your application is successful, you will receive a notice of their grant decision.
Step 2. Implement your telework plan.
Within 3 months from the date of the grant decision, you will place orders, sign contracts, and purchase equipment to implement your telework plan as outlined in your application. Please note that equipment purchased before the grant decision is made will not be eligible for the subsidy.
Step 3. Prepare and submit your performance report.
Within 4 months of receiving the grant notification, you must prepare and submit the performance report documents 実績報告書 (there are separate forms for SMEs depending on employee number) and テレワーク実施状況（稼働実績）報告書 for the grant project. Also, you must be registered with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's "Declaration System for Companies Practicing the Telework Tokyo Rules.” After submitting your performance report and registering in the declaration system, your documents will be reviewed and the grant amount will be determined.
Step 4: Submit the grant request form and bank transfer request form
Once the grant amount is determined, a notice will be sent to you. You will then submit a request with your bank information to the Tokyo Foundation for Employment Services for the grant amount listed on the notice.
Image: Process flow as outlined by Tokyo Foundation for Employment Services.
Some final notes
This subsidy will close if the number of applications exceeds the available budget for this grant.
Only one application can be submitted per company.
No applications submitted in person will be accepted.
Official pages
テレワーク促進助成金 [Official page]
テレワーク促進助成金 [J-Grants page for e-applications]
テレワーク東京ルール [Declaration System for Companies Practicing the Telework Tokyo Rules]
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