Subsidies and Support Programs Related to the Environment
When organizing programs in response to environmental issues, it is important for all involved to be aware of their own roles and responsibilities, and to continue effective efforts from their respective standpoints. To achieve its ideal of “Shinagawa—An Environmental City Created by Everyone Together,” Shinagawa City devised The Second Shinagawa Environment Plan in March 2013, which summarizes the city’s comprehensive guidelines for environmental policies up to FY2022. The city promotes programs by indicating specific actions that it, residents and companies should take. In this issue, we will describe Shinagawa City’s subsidy program for actions that city residents and companies can take that are related to the environment.
Notes:
- If you have an administrative procedure to take care of, please come to the City Office with someone who can speak Japanese.
- The reception desk will close when the budgeted amount is reached.
- Requests and application forms for subsidies (1) through (5) below can be downloaded from the Shinagawa City website.
(1) Asbestos Inspection and Removal Expense
A subsidy is provided to cover part of the cost of the inspection and removal of asbestos before the demolition or renovation of a building.
Eligibility: Owners or condominium maintenance unions of homes, offices, workshops, shops, warehouses, or parking lots, etc., in Shinagawa City.
1. Analysis/inspection to check for asbestos (spray/sprayed rock wool)
Maximum subsidy amount: 250,000 yen per building
No. of subsidies available: five (on a first-come, first-served basis)
2. Asbestos (sprayed material containing asbestos) removal
Subsidy amount: The equivalent of 2/3 (up to 3,000,000 yen per building)
No. of subsidies available: three (on a first-come, first-served basis)
Inquiries: Guidance and Research Subsection, Environment Affairs Section, Tel: 5742-6751
(2) Support for Replacing Your Car with a Low-Emission Vehicle
Because low-emission vehicles introduced when the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s diesel vehicle regulations went into effect are reaching the age of replacement, new support programs (subsidies for interest and credit guarantee fees) have been started.
Eligibility: Those owning a small or medium enterprise or individual business in Shinagawa City who have received a notification of a subsidy to cover a part of the interest on a purchase with a loan from the Tokyo Environmental Conservation Fund.
Eligible vehicles: Vehicles that are eligible for Tokyo Environmental Conservation Fund financing.
Interest subsidy amount: The difference between the interest and the subsidy amount from the Tokyo Environment Conservation Fund.
Credit guarantee fee subsidy amount: The difference between the credit guarantee fee and the subsidy amount from the Tokyo Environment Conservation Fund.
To apply: Complete the application form available at the Environment Affairs Section and submit it to the Environment Promotion Subsection in the same section (Hon Chosha 6F, Tel: 5742-6755).
(3) Small and Medium Enterprise “Eco-Action 21” Authorization Acquisition Support
“Eco-Action 21” is an environmental management system recommended by the Ministry of the Environment that can be implemented at a lower cost than environmental ISO. This reduces company expenses and eases the burden on the environment.
1. Eco-Action 21 Implementation Explanation Meeting
Date and time: June 6 (Fri.), 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Environment Information Activities Center (Dai-san Chosha 3F)
Program: Summary of the system and introduction of companies that have acquired authorization (in Japanese)
Eligibility: Thirty persons (on a first-come, first-served basis)
To apply: Contact the Environment Management Subsection of the Environment Affairs Section by telephone, fax or mail no later than June 3 (Tue.), and indicate the name of the meeting, your company name, address, telephone number, name of the person in charge, and e-mail address or fax number.
2. Eco-Action 21 authorization acquisition seminar
Period: June through November (about four seminars)
Location(s): Environment Information Activities Center, offices of participating companies, and other venues.
Program: Individual and group instruction in the curriculum geared toward obtaining authorization (in Japanese)
Eligibility: Small and medium enterprises seeking to obtain authorization; five companies (on a first-come, first-served basis)
To apply: Contact the Environment Management Subsection of the Environment Affairs Section by telephone, fax or mail no later than June 20 (Fri.), and indicate the name of the seminar, your company name, address, telephone number, name of the person in charge, and e-mail address or fax number.
3. Partial subsidy of Eco-Action 21 authorization acquisition expense
Eligibility: Those operating a small or medium enterprise in Shinagawa City who are up to date in paying the corporate enterprise tax, and who have acquired Eco-Action 21 authorization for the first time; seven companies (on a first-come, first-served basis)
Subsidy amount: Half of the inspection fee and authorization/registration fee (maximum of 150,000 yen)
To apply: Submit the completed application form available at the Environment Affairs Section and the required documents to the Environment Management Subsection of the Environment Affairs Section no later than March 20 (Fri.), 2015.
(4) Partial Subsidy of the Cost of Solar Generator System Installation
Eligibility: Those who meet all of the following requirements:
- Have completed installation of new equipment
- Starting date of electricity supply is on or after April 1, 2014.
- Those living in Shinagawa City, up to date in paying resident’s tax; or companies in Shinagawa City (not a large corporation), and up to date in payments of the corporation enterprise tax
- Living in a house eligible for construction, or installing the equipment in a company or office in Shinagawa City
- Owner or tenant of the house/property eligible for construction (if the applicant is a tenant, permission must be obtained from the landlord)
- Have not received a subsidy based on this program before
Subsidies for City Residents
No. of subsidies available: fifty (on a first-come, first-served basis)
Subsidy amount: 30,000 yen per kW (maximum 90,000 yen)
Subsidies for Public Service Corporations, General Corporate Judicial Persons, and Those Managing Rental Apartments
No. of subsidies available: ten (on a first-come, first-served basis)
Subsidy amount: 30,000 yen per kW (maximum: 150,000 yen)
To apply: Bring or mail the completed application form available at the Environment Affairs Section to the Environment Management Subsection of the Environment Affairs Section no later than March 20 (Fri.), 2015.
Note: After you receive the subsidy, you will be asked to cooperate in a survey by completing a questionnaire.
(5) Partial Subsidy for Installing LED Lights for Office Use
Eligibility: Those who meet all of the following requirements; up to ten accepted (on a first-come, first-served basis):
- Have installed unused LED lights in their office or establishment in Shinagawa City
- Are filing an application before installation
- The expense for installation using an installation company in Shinagawa City is 100,000 yen (excluding consumer tax) or more
- Whose establishment is not a large corporation
- Up to date in paying corporate enterprise tax
- Owner or tenant of the house/property eligible for construction (if the applicant is a tenant, permission must be received from the landlord)
Subsidy amount: 10 percent of the installation cost (excluding consumer tax), maximum of 500,000 yen
To apply: Bring or mail the completed application form available at the Environment Affairs Section to the Environment Management Subsection of the Environment Affairs Section no later than February 27 (Fri.), 2015.
For subsidies (3) through (5)
Inquiries: Environment Management Subsection, Environment Affairs Section (Shinagawa City Office Hon Chosha 6F, 140-8715, Tel: 5742-6949, Fax: 5742-6853)
(6) Other Subsidies and Support Programs
Please call for more information on the subsidy system, such as inquiries related to application requirements.
Electric kitchen garbage disposal purchase subsidy
Inquiries: Recycling Promotion Subsection, Shinagawa Trash and Recycling Collection Office, Tel: 3490-7098
Hedge landscaping expense partial subsidy (Shinagawa City Subsidy System for the Creation of a Town Rich in Greenery)
Rooftop greenery subsidy
Inquiries: Greenery Subsection, Parks Section, Tel: 5742-6799
Subsidy for installation of rainwater tank
Inquiries: Water Area Management Subsection, River and Sewerage Section, Tel: 5742-6794
Eco/barrier-free home renovation expense partial subsidy (geared toward individual owners or condominium maintenance unions of individual/private rental housing; eco home renovation includes installation of LED lights, thermal insulation coating, installation of sunlight adjustment film, insulation renovation of windows and outer walls, etc.)
Home renovation fund financing mediation (geared for individual homes)
Inquiries: Housing Administration Subsection, Urban Planning Section, Tel: 5742-6777
ISO Authorization acquisition subsidy (ISO 9001, 14001, 27001)
Glowing business support; partial subsidies for expenses required for the development of new products and technology that are environment-friendly
Inquiries: Manufacturing Support Subsection, Manufacturing and Business Management Support Section, Tel: 5498-6333
