Expand Safety-Net Guarantee No. 4 Areas for 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake
Overview
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry will expand the areas designated for Safety-Net Guarantee No. 4 following the 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake. In addition to the areas already designated, the remaining municipalities in Kumamoto Prefecture and eligible municipalities in Kagoshima Prefecture will be added, providing small and medium-sized enterprises in the designated areas with financing support through a 100% guarantee outside the general guarantee framework. The additional designation will take effect on September 18, 2026.
Key points
- The areas designated for Safety-Net Guarantee No. 4 concerning the 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake will be expanded.
- The remaining 24 municipalities in Kumamoto Prefecture and 19 municipalities in Kagoshima Prefecture will be additionally designated.
- Small and medium-sized enterprises in the designated areas will receive financing support through a 100% guarantee outside the general guarantee framework.
Overview
Kumamoto and Kagoshima prefectures requested the addition of designated areas for Safety-Net Guarantee No. 4, stating that the 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake had affected the business activities of numerous small and medium-sized enterprises and small businesses. In response to this request, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry will designate additional areas in both prefectures in addition to the areas already designated.
Impact
Small and medium-sized enterprises located in the designated areas can use a guarantee outside the general guarantee framework provided by credit guarantee associations, helping support their financing when their business activities have been affected by the earthquake.
Details
Safety-Net Guarantee No. 4 is a financing support measure for small and medium-sized enterprises and other businesses whose sales and other figures have declined. A credit guarantee association guarantees the full loan amount within a guarantee limit separate from the general guarantee framework. This time, the remaining municipalities in Kumamoto Prefecture and eligible municipalities in Kagoshima Prefecture will be designated in addition to the 21 municipalities already designated in Kumamoto Prefecture, making all of Kumamoto Prefecture and some municipalities in Kagoshima Prefecture designated areas.