The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) announced on August 29, 2025, comprehensive support measures for businesses affected by the end of vehicle production at Nissan Motor's Oppama Plant and other changes, detailing the overall support structure.
Overall Support Structure
Establishment of Special Consultation Desks: Special consultation desks have been established at Japan Finance Corporation, Shoko Chukin Bank, credit guarantee associations, chambers of commerce and industry, federations of societies of commerce and industry, central societies of small and medium enterprise organizations, Yorozu Support Centers, National Shopping Street Promotion Union Federation, Small and Medium Enterprise Support Center Kanto Headquarters, and Kanto Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry in Kanagawa Prefecture to provide detailed responses to management consultations from businesses.
Support through Mikata Project
The "Mikata Project" for medium-sized and small automotive parts suppliers will provide management advice, policy introductions, and conduct/introduce matching events hosted by the Kanagawa Industrial Promotion Center. This supports diversification of business partners and creation of new business opportunities.
Financial Support through Government Financial Institutions
Relaxation of Safety Net Lending Requirements: The requirements for Safety Net Lending implemented by Japan Finance Corporation and others have been relaxed and expanded to apply to SMEs and small-scale businesses whose business conditions have deteriorated due to the impact of the end of vehicle production at Nissan Motor's Oppama Plant.
Application of Safety Net Guarantee No. 5: Safety Net Guarantee No. 5 is implemented for guaranteed loans from financial institutions, providing debt guarantees within a separate framework from general guarantees, making it available for companies in industries classified as recession-affected industries.
Priority Adoption in Subsidy Programs
Monozukuri Subsidy: In subsidies supporting equipment investment and system construction necessary for developing innovative new products and services aimed at improving productivity and sustainable wage increases for SMEs, affected businesses will be given consideration during screening and priority adoption.
New Business Entry Subsidy: Similarly, subsidies supporting SMEs and small-scale businesses' entry into new markets and high-value-added businesses different from existing operations will also be subject to priority adoption.
Collaboration with Related Organizations
The Kanto Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry participates in the "Related Administrative Organizations Liaison Headquarters for the End of Vehicle Production at Nissan Motor Corporation's Oppama Plant" and the "Countermeasure Council for U.S. Tariffs and Nissan Motor Production Reduction" hosted by Kanagawa Prefecture and other organizations, providing information on relevant national policies.
The article demonstrates that METI established a multi-layered support system for the regional economy and related businesses affected by the end of production at Nissan Motor's Oppama Plant, implementing comprehensive measures from consultation services to financial support and priority subsidy adoption to ensure the sustainability of regional industries.