Gamagori City in Aichi Prefecture began accepting applications on July 13 for the “Gamagori Circular City Innovation Program,” targeting businesses engaged in circular economy-related activities. The program offers two tracks: a “Business Foundation Course,” which provides grants of up to ¥200,000 for businesses at or near the startup stage or considering a business pivot, and a “Business Expansion Course,” which provides grants of up to ¥1,000,000 for businesses at the stage of pursuing real-world implementation. Applications are accepted from companies based outside the city as well.
Gamagori City has positioned itself as a circular city since fiscal year 2022 and has conducted 14 pilot projects over the past three years. This program was established on the basis of those results, with the aim of accelerating innovation creation and real-world implementation. The eligible business sectors correspond to the seven priority areas defined in the city’s action plan: food, health, consumption, tourism, transportation, education, and manufacturing. Businesses based outside the city are also eligible, provided they collaborate with a business based within the city; additionally, projects carried out within the city by outside businesses may apply independently under the Business Expansion Course.
The Business Foundation Course plans to select approximately five applicants. It offers an incubation program (five sessions in total), fieldwork (at least one session per applicant), and expert mentoring (three sessions), along with opportunities to interact with members of the “Gamagori Circular Economy Innovation Consortium” and past pilot project participants. A grant of up to ¥200,000 (tax included) per applicant will be provided for eligible expenses. The Business Expansion Course plans to select approximately three applicants and will provide support in developing pilot plans along with mentoring tailored to individual needs. The total grant budget for eligible expenses is ¥2,500,000, and the amount awarded may differ from the amount applied for depending on the selection outcome.
The application period closes at 5:00 p.m. on August 21, 2025. Screening interviews are scheduled to be conducted online on September 10, with approximately 15 applicants across both courses invited for interview review. If the number of applications is large, a document screening stage will be conducted first.
Business support programs by local governments dedicated specifically to the circular economy remain rare across Japan, and Gamagori City’s initiative is attracting attention as a pioneering model of municipality-led circular economy promotion.
【Reference】Gamagori City: “Applications Now Open for the Gamagori Circular City Innovation Program“
