補助金

• Reading: ほじょきん
• Romaji: hojokin
• Kanji breakdown: 補 (ho/oga) — supplement, repair; 助 (jo/tasu) — help, assist; 金 (kin/kana) — money
• Pronunciation: /ho.d͡ʑo.kʲin/

Meaning

Subsidy; grant; financial aid provided by governments or organisations to support specific activities without requiring repayment.

Funds disbursed by the government, municipalities, or public bodies to encourage desired economic activity — such as R&D investment, renewable energy adoption, regional development, or small business digitalisation. Unlike loans, 補助金 does not require repayment but typically comes with conditions and reporting obligations. 補助金申請 (applying for a subsidy) is a common task in small business management.

Examples

1. 中小企業向けの設備投資補助金に応募した。 The company applied for a capital investment subsidy aimed at small and medium-sized businesses.
2. 再生可能エネルギー普及のために政府から補助金が支給される。 Government grants are available to support the spread of renewable energy.
3. 補助金に頼りすぎると自立的な経営が難しくなる。 Depending too heavily on subsidies makes it difficult to build a self-sustaining business.

Usage Guide

Context: government, business, public policy, finance

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 補助 (supplementary assistance; 補 = supplement/repair + 助 = help) and 金 (money, funds). Literally 'money to supplement and assist.'

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal