FAQ for “Fundraising Support Program for Foreign Entrepreneurs”

Ｑ１．What should I do first in order to receive support of this program?
Ａ１．To receive support of this program, you must apply to Business Development
Center Tokyo (hereinafter referred to as “BDCT”) and receive approval for yourbusiness plan from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. (Certification is subjectto review.)
At BDCT, you can receive support for writing business plans by experts.

Ｑ２．If I have my business plan certified, am I sure to receive a loan in this program?
Ａ２．When you apply for a loan, your application will be examined by the financial
institutions handling your money after strictly verifying the conditions of therecipient through interviews, on-site inspections, and other means.
Therefore, there are cases your loan application may be denied, even if yourbusiness plan was certified by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
The financial institutions will continue to monitor the status of the businesses
after the loans are provided.

Ｑ３．What are the eligibility requirements for support?
Ａ３．The principal eligibility requirements for support recipients are as below.

・Have a business plan certified by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government
・Less than 5 years from the date of business establishment in Japan・Possess a status of residence* that does not restrict business activities
・Representative of a corporation having its head office or principal office in Tokyo
・The business form is a corporation* Specifically, it refers to the following status of residence
Permanent Resident/Special Permanent Resident, Spouse or Child ofJapanese National, Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident, Long-Term
Resident, Business Manager, and a part of Highly Skilled Professional

Ｑ４．Can foreign entrepreneurs use this program even if they do not live in Tokyo?
Ａ４．The "head office" or "principal office" must be located in Tokyo.

Ｑ５．Can you help me create a business plan?
Ａ５．BDCT can assist you in creating a business plan, so please feel free to make contact.

Ｑ６．Is a guarantor required for this loan?
Ａ６．In principle, a joint guarantee by the corporate representative is required.

Ｑ７．Is collateral required for this loan?
Ａ７．To support startups, collateral is not required.
（This is also true for loans to support Japanese entrepreneurs listed in Q9）

Ｑ８．What is the loan interest rate in this program?
Ａ８．The fixed interest rate is set at 2.7% or less（Specific interest rates vary for eachindividual case）.

Ｑ９．Are there any loan programs for starting a business available to Japanese nationals?
Ａ９．The Tokyo Metropolitan Government provides " Tokyo Metropolitan Government
Small and Medium Enterprises loan program" and " Program to support startups bywomen, youth, and seniors".
▶Tokyo Metropolitan Government Small and Medium Enterprises loan program
A system in which the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Credit Guarantee
Corporation of Tokyo, and financial institutions cooperate to provide small andmedium enterprises with the funds they need to smoothly finance theirbusinesses.
https://www.sangyo-rodo.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/chushou/kinyu/yuushi/yuushi/(In Japanese)【Loans for business establishment】

○Loan Limit: 35 million yen○Loan interest rate: Fixed interest rate from 1.9% or less to 2.5% or less etc.
○Guarantor: Corporate representative（principle）○Collateral: Unsecured in principle▶Program to support startups by women, youth, and seniors
System to support women, youths and seniors in Tokyo in establishingcommunity-based startups
https://www.sangyo-rodo.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/chushou/kinyu/yuushi/support/(In Japanese)○Loan Limit: 15 million yen（7.5 million yen for working capital only）○Loan interest rate: Fixed interest rate of 1.0% or less
○Guarantor: Corporate representative（principle）○Collateral: Unsecured

Ｑ１０．Why does the Tokyo Metropolitan Government support foreign entrepreneurs?
Ａ １ ０ ． The Tokyo Metropolitan Government aims to realize entrepreneurship byvarious entities, including foreign nationals, in order to make Tokyo the moststartup-friendly city in the world where new industries constantly emerge. As apart of this effort, we support foreign entrepreneurs in order to create anenvironment in which foreign nationals easily start businesses in Tokyo, thereby
creating a diverse range of entities that will support Tokyo's economy andgenerating sustainable growth of Tokyo.
The Japanese government has also established the "Projects for Encouraging
Foreign Entrepreneurs to Start Businesses", and the Japan Finance Corporation(JFC) provides support for foreign entrepreneurs through the "New BusinessDevelopment Loans".

＜Inquiries＞■About business planning only

Business Development Center Tokyo (Akasaka Office)Tel: 03-3582-8353
Mail: f-support@bdc-tokyo.org■About loan and management support given before and after loan execution
Pasona Inc. / Global Business Division
Tel: 050-5211-5454
Mail: tokyo-fund-info@pasona.co.jp