Summary
Small and mid-sized businesses in Shiribeshi can apply to a second recruitment round of the region's Community Challenge business support program, which funds projects tackling local social issues.
The Shiribeshi General Subprefectural Bureau opened a second recruitment round on July 23, 2026 for its Regional Challenge Business Support Programme, a grant-and-mentoring scheme aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises tackling local social issues in the Shiribeshi region.
What the program covers
The program supports projects that combine business viability with a concrete regional-challenge angle – depopulation, ageing tourism infrastructure, secondary industries and similar themes. Selected companies receive funding and expert support.
Why it matters
Shiribeshi’s economy is uneven: Niseko-Kutchan is booming on international ski tourism, while other municipalities face population decline. A dedicated regional-challenge grant program targets that imbalance by encouraging businesses to work on problems specific to their own community.
For international readers
The program is part of Hokkaido’s wider portfolio of place-based business support, distinct from national SME grants. Its second round in 2026 signals that first-round demand did not exhaust the program budget.
Source: Shiribeshi General Subprefectural Bureau press release, July 23, 2026.
Source Details
| Source | Hokkaido Government - Shiribeshi General Subprefectural Bureau |
|---|---|
| Original Title | 「地域課題解決型企業支援事業」の２次募集について |
| Original Published | 2026-07-23 |
| Region | shiribeshi |
| Target Reader | general |
| Review Status | reviewed |
| Risk Level | normal |
| Original Source | Hokkaido Government - Shiribeshi General Subprefectural Bureau |
Editor Note
Confirm application deadline and eligibility before republishing details.