Kafkai IT Subsidy for SMEs! Winning Strategy & BI at Half Price ✨
Small and medium enterprises can now identify their key areas for growth and implement cost-effective business intelligence.
On June 12, 2025, "Kafkai," the AI Marketing Strategy Tool, was officially approved as an eligible tool under the IT Implementation Subsidy (Standard Category A). This approval means SMEs can now receive subsidies of up to 50% of their implementation costs, making the discovery of competitive advantages a tangible benefit.
What is Kafkai?
Unlike conventional SEO tools, Kafkai is a business intelligence platform that goes far beyond simple ranking checks and keyword research. Addressing the critical challenge many SMEs face: Not knowing where we can compete and win. Kafkai extracts real market insights from massive search data and analyzes and visualizes three key areas:
- Your company's strengths
- Weaknesses
- Hidden opportunity areas
Kafkai pinpoints winnable domains and provides actionable strategy and content recommendations. Once your attack points become visible, a growth roadmap for your company emerges.
New Discoveries Kafkai Brings to SMEs
1. Market "Voices" Become Data
Traditional SEO tools often focus on rankings and competitor comparisons. But Kafkai addresses fundamental questions like “Why aren’t our rankings improving?” and “Which markets should we truly be targeting?”
Example:
A regional construction company analyzed search data for “construction industry x SDGs x regional social contribution.” They discovered a blue ocean of “community-focused” keywords that major companies overlooked, doubling their lead generation within six months.
2. Information Strategy Focused on Winning
Kafkai doesn't just reveal target keywords; it clarifies market needs, the competitive landscape, and your company’s advantages for each keyword through data analysis.
3. Automated Strategic Content Creation
Kafkai automatically suggests target fields and article/page types. This enables even SMEs without specialized expertise to implement an information strategy comparable to that of professional marketers.
What is the IT Implementation Subsidy (IT導入補助金)?
The IT Implementation Subsidy is a government support program for small and medium enterprises.
This valuable initiative promotes digitalization, including AI and data utilization, with the following main objectives:
Significance and Benefits of the IT Implementation Subsidy
-
Up to 50% of implementation costs subsidized
Half of implementation costs are covered, making even cutting-edge tools more accessible. -
Accelerate digitalization
Ideal for companies considering digital transformation but concerned about costs. -
Boost operational efficiency & competitiveness
Automation of routine tasks and data analysis allows you to focus resources on core business activities.
Surprisingly Low Awareness and Usage Rates
According to a Small and Medium Enterprise Agency survey, awareness of subsidies and grants is 51.5%, understanding is 16.8%, and actual usage is only 6%).
This represents a significant missed opportunity for Japanese businesses. With nearly half of SMEs unaware these programs exist, and less than one in six truly understanding their benefits, companies are leaving substantial government support on the table.
The low 6% usage rate is particularly concerning when considering:
- Competitive disadvantage: Companies not leveraging available subsidies fall behind competitors who do utilize these programs
- Innovation stagnation: Without financial support, many SMEs delay or abandon digitalization initiatives that could transform their operations
- Economic impact: Underutilized subsidies mean slower overall digital transformation across Japan's business landscape
The cost of inaction extends beyond individual companies. When SMEs struggle to digitalize due to budget constraints—while government funding sits unused—it creates a productivity gap that affects the entire economy. This is why understanding and accessing programs like the IT Implementation Subsidy isn't just good business sense—it's essential for staying competitive in today's market.
Detailed Subsidy Content and Conditions
Subsidy Rate and Amount
- Subsidy rate: Up to 50%
- Subsidy amount: ¥50,000 to less than ¥1.5 million
- Half of Kafkai’s annual usage fee (for up to 2 years) is eligible for subsidy.
- Example: ¥17,000/month x 12 months x 50% = ¥102,000 subsidy
- Choose between 1-year or 2-year subsidy periods.
Payment Conditions
- The basic payment method is a lump sum. (A special plan is available to convert Kafkai monthly subscriptions to an annual plan.)
- Only new applications are eligible (existing or past contracts are not covered).
- Payment methods: bank transfer or one-time credit card payment.
Subsidy Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Subsidy Rate | Up to 50% |
| Eligible Plans | Annual or 2-year usage fees |
| Subsidy Amount | ¥50,000 to under ¥1.5 million |
| Eligibility | New implementations only; past implementations and mid-term applications are not eligible |
| Payment Method | Bank transfer or one-time credit card payment |
| Application Timing | New implementations only |
Note: Subsidy details and conditions may vary depending on the company's application.
Application Process and Schedule
Application schedules are subject to change; always check the latest information.
- Verify the most recent official schedule.
- Example:
The third deadline is July 18, 2025 (Fri), with grant decisions expected around September 2, 2025 (Tue), followed by the project implementation period.
Application Preparation Checklist
1. Obtain a gBizID Prime Account
gBizID registration is required for both corporations and sole proprietors.
→ About gBizID
2. SECURITY ACTION (Company Security Measures Declaration)
Declare your security measures using the checklist.
→ SECURITY ACTION Overview
3. Confirm Application Process Details
Review the electronic application procedures and required documents in advance using the official guide.
How to Apply
- Complete the necessary preparations (accounts, declarations, etc.).
- Contact Kafkai Support ([email protected]) to indicate your interest in using the subsidy.
- We will then invite you to the IT Implementation Subsidy system (management portal).
- Enter the required information (company overview, business plan, etc.) and submit it online.
- For questions or assistance, consult the official help desk.
※ Please note that incomplete or erroneous documentation during application may affect selection results.
Important Notes and FAQs
- This applies only to "new applications." Retroactive application to previous implementations is not possible.
- Payment methods are limited to "verified methods" (bank transfer or one-time credit card payment).
- Application procedures are self-managed. For questions, please contact the official help desk.
- Always confirm the latest conditions and information directly with Kafkai Support or the IT Implementation Subsidy official website.
Summary and Next Steps
Kafkai through the IT Implementation Subsidy offers SMEs a genuine opportunity to identify their competitive advantages. Achieving a shift from unstructured competition to winnable fields becomes a reality with up to 50% subsidy available. Consider leveraging this subsidy opportunity to implement effective business intelligence.
If you’re even slightly interested, now is your opportunity for transformation. Please contact Kafkai Support for more information.
