Support Programs
Japanese Support Programs
Promotion of Overseas Expansion of Japan's Circular Industry
Implementing Agency: Ministry of the Environment
URL: https://www.env.go.jp/press/press_01502.html
Description: This program aims to expand Japan’s advanced waste management and recycling technologies to Asian countries and beyond, with the goal of reducing environmental impact and stimulating economic activity. The support covers feasibility studies (F/S) for overseas waste management and recycling projects exclusively for Japanese companies. Applications are accepted under the "Promotion of Overseas Expansion of Japan's Circular Industry" and the "Subsidy for Carbon Dioxide Emission Reduction Measures (Decarbonization Promotion Project in the Resource Circulation Sector)". The application period runs from April 17, 2023, to November 30, 2023, and will close once the budget limit is reached.
Subsidy for Carbon Dioxide Emission Reduction Measures (Decarbonization Promotion Project in the Resource Circulation Sector)
Implementing Agency: Ministry of the Environment
URL: https://www.env.go.jp/press/press_01502.html
Description: This program promotes decarbonization in the resource circulation sector and aims to curb carbon dioxide emissions. It provides support for the introduction of decarbonization technologies and for conducting feasibility studies (F/S) for waste management and resource circulation projects exclusively by Japanese companies. The application period is from April 17, 2025, to November 30, 2025, and will close once the budget limit is reached.
Preparatory Survey for Private-Sector Investment Finance
Implementing Agency: Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
URL: https://www.jica.go.jp/priv_partner/activities/psiffs/index.html
Description: This scheme is designed to identify and formulate projects that capitalize on the expertise of Japan’s private sector. Under the scheme, JICA entrusts the necessary surveys to Japanese private companies (and foreign companies as part of a joint venture) that have submitted promising proposals, in order to develop project plans to be implemented using private-sector investment finance (PSIF). The application details are available on JICA’s official website.
Asia Water Environment Improvement Model Project
Implementing Agency: Ministry of the Environment
URL: https://www.env.go.jp/water/asia_business/weib.html
Description: This program promotes the business expansion of Japanese companies with advanced water treatment technologies to improve the water environment in Asia. It supports demonstration projects and initiatives for the dissemination and deployment of water environment improvement technologies, including technology introduction and model case development. The application period is set annually, with details available on the Ministry of the Environment's official website.
SME & SDGs Business Support Program
Implementing Agency: Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
URL: https://www.jica.go.jp/priv_partner/activities/sme/index.html
Description: This program aims to support Japanese private companies in creating businesses that address development challenges in emerging markets. Selected companies receive support for identifying local market needs, developing business models, securing local partners, assessing profitability, and conducting pilot projects for commercialization. JICA provides financial assistance for these activities as well as access to its expertise and networks. The application period is set annually, with details announced on JICA’s official website.
City-to-City Collaboration for the Realization of a Decarbonized Society
Implementing Agency: Ministry of the Environment
URL: https://www.env.go.jp/press/press_01433.html
Description: This program facilitates collaboration between Japanese municipalities and overseas cities to promote the development of a decarbonized society. It supports initiatives in which Japanese municipalities partner with research institutions, private companies, and universities to introduce decarbonization technologies, provide policy support, and build capacity in overseas municipalities. In particular, it contributes to the formation of infrastructure projects utilizing the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM). The target countries are developing nations, with priority given to JCM partner and candidate countries such as India and Brazil. The application period is set annually.
Overseas Expansion and Business Restructuring Loans
Implementing Agency: Japan Finance Corporation
URL: https://www.jfc.go.jp/n/finance/search/kaigaitenkai_t.html
Description: This program provides financial support for SMEs in Japan to expand into overseas markets, grow their businesses, or restructure operations. Support includes loans for establishing local subsidiaries, capital investment, M&A, and market expansion activities. Eligible companies must have a business base in Japan and be SMEs or small-scale enterprises planning international expansion. Details can be checked on Japan Finance Corporation’s official website (available in Japanese only).
Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS) (Environment & Low-Carbon Fields)
Implementing Agency: Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) / Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
URL: https://www.jst.go.jp/global/about.html
This program promotes international joint research between Japanese and developing country research institutions to address environmental issues and realize a low-carbon society. Support includes research projects conducted in collaboration between Japanese universities/research institutions and researchers from developing countries, focusing on environmental conservation, energy efficiency technology development, and climate change countermeasures. JST provides research funding, while JICA supports technical cooperation. The application period is set annually, with details announced on the official websites of JST and JICA.
International Support Programs
Asia Development Bank (ADB)
URLs:
- https://www.adb.org/site/funds/funds/leap
- https://ap3f.adb.org/
- https://www.adb.org/site/funds/funds/japan-fund-for-joint-crediting-mechanism
Description: The ADB’s flagship financial programs include the Leading Asia’s Private Infrastructure Fund (LEAP), the Asia Pacific Project Preparation Facility (AP3F), and the Japan Fund for the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JFJCM). These programs provide standard loan financing (with loan terms of 10–30 years) along with co-financing schemes that include a Complementary Financing Scheme (CFS) and a guarantee scheme. The main beneficiaries are the governments of developing member countries, their agencies or sub-agencies, and public and private enterprises operating in those countries.
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
URL: https://www.ebrd.com
Description: EBRD allocates 80% of its financing to private enterprises. It explicitly excludes sectors that compete with the private sector, projects that have adverse environmental impacts, concessional financing, and balance of payments support. Its flagship programs include loans, equity investments, guarantees, trade finance, and project identification and development services. It also supports small, medium, and venture enterprises via financial intermediaries, typically covering up to 35% of project costs to attract overseas direct investment.
Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN)
Description: Established under the UNFCCC, CTCN is designed to facilitate the introduction and promotion of climate change mitigation technologies in developing countries, along with the necessary institutional and regulatory frameworks. Through its Technical Assistance (TA) projects, it provides decision-making tools, information, and helps develop sector-specific roadmaps and strategies, as well as conduct feasibility studies and prioritize technological options. Although it does not directly finance projects, it lays the groundwork for project implementation. TA is offered in two forms—a standard TA (approximately one year with a funding cap of USD 250,000) and a fast-track TA (approximately two months with a funding cap of USD 15,000)—and is available only to registered network institutions working with designated experts.
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
UNIDO Tokyo Office: http://www.unido.or.jp/
UNIDO Procurement Information: https://www.unido.org/resources-procurement/procurement-opportunities
Description: UNIDO is a United Nations specialized agency that promotes inclusive and sustainable industrial development in developing and transition economies through technical cooperation, policy advisory services, knowledge transfer, and networking. The UNIDO Tokyo Office supports Japanese companies in their overseas ventures by organizing individual consultation sessions with investment officers from developing countries (more details), and by compiling an "Environmental Technology Database" (covering energy-related, environmental, and agribusiness technologies) in English for stakeholders in developing and emerging countries. Registration for technology in this database is available through the UNIDO Tokyo Office’s Sustainable Technology Promotion Platform (STePP).
World Bank Group
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)
Description: IBRD’s financial programs are characterized by co-financing arrangements with private financial institutions and generally provide partial guarantees. These guarantees cover either specific risk items in contracts with the host government (partial risk guarantee) or are offered as a partial credit guarantee without specifying risk items. The main beneficiaries include member country governments, government-backed agencies, and private entities involved in economic development projects that cannot access conventional capital markets or require general import funds for restructuring or sector adjustment policies.
International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Description: IFC’s financial programs are based on the principle of avoiding the crowding out of the private sector. The financing ceiling is set at 25% of the total project cost to stimulate private investment. While no government guarantee is required, projects that can secure funding from private financial institutions are not eligible. IFC offers both direct lending and co-financing arrangements with private financial institutions, primarily targeting private enterprises and projects in developing countries.
Green Climate Fund (GCF)
URL: https://www.greenclimate.fund/sectors/private
Description: The GCF offers a range of financial instruments—including grants, concessional financing, guarantees, and equity—to support climate change mitigation and adaptation initiatives. These instruments are provided in cooperation with public and private funds and are limited to addressing the additional financing needs induced by climate change. Applications are submitted by Accredited Entities (AE) to the GCF, and the primary beneficiaries are private companies and projects.
Additional Information: Accessing the Green Climate Fund – For Private Sector