This is the content of "Support Measures for Affected SMEs and Small Businesses Related to Disasters Caused by Low Pressure System and Frontal Heavy Rains from August 6, Reiwa 7 [Third Report]" released by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) on August 15, 2025.
Expansion of Target Support Areas
From the second report, one town in Kumamoto Prefecture (Kosa Town, Kamimashiki District) has been added as a Disaster Relief Act applicable area, expanding the target areas for support measures to a total of 17 cities and towns across Ishikawa, Yamaguchi, Kumamoto, and Kagoshima Prefectures. Specifically, these include Kanazawa City in Ishikawa Prefecture; Ube City in Yamaguchi Prefecture; 13 cities, towns, and villages in Kumamoto Prefecture including Kumamoto City, Yatsushiro City, Tamana City, Kamiamakusa City, Uki City, Amakusa City, Misato Town in Shimomashiki District, Tamahigashi Town in Tamana District, Nagasu Town in Tamana District, Kosa Town in Kamimashiki District, and Hikawa Town in Yatsushiro District; and 4 cities in Kagoshima Prefecture including Satsumasendai City, Soo City, Kirishima City, and Aira City.
Implementation of Comprehensive Support Systems
METI implements five comprehensive support measures for affected SMEs and small businesses: (1) Establishment of special consultation windows by Japan Finance Corporation, Shoko Chukin Bank, credit guarantee associations, chambers of commerce, etc.; (2) Implementation of disaster recovery lending for working capital and equipment funds; (3) Application of Safety Net Guarantee No. 4, which provides 100% financing guarantee separately from general guarantees; (4) Requests for repayment deferrals and other existing debt condition changes, expedited lending procedures, and flexible collateral requirements; (5) Application of disaster lending with principally same-day low-interest financing for Small Business Mutual Aid subscribers.
Establishment of Rapid Response Systems
Regarding Safety Net Guarantee No. 4, regional designation will be announced in the official gazette soon, but credit guarantee associations have already begun preliminary consultations. Additionally, the Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation has established rapid response systems at the Hokuriku, Chugoku, and Kyushu headquarters, as well as the Chubu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry, Chugoku Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry, and Kyushu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry to support early recovery of affected businesses.
The article demonstrates continuous strengthening of comprehensive cash flow support and business stabilization measures for affected businesses through phased expansion of support areas.