Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has opened a separate charger subsidy call for projects that take longer than a normal funding year to build. METI published the outline on September 29, 2026, and the Next Generation Vehicle Promotion Center, which administers the grant, began accepting applications on October 23, 2026. The call uses ¥1 billion of the ¥36.5 billion set aside for charging equipment in the FY2025 supplementary budget.
Key Takeaways
- METI set aside ¥1 billion for charger projects with long construction times.
- ¥600 million is for expressway fast chargers and ¥400 million for AC chargers in new apartments.
- Applications opened on October 23, 2026 and are planned to close in mid-November.
- Oversubscribed categories are ranked by the lowest subsidy requested per kW.
Key Figures
| Category | Charger type | Budget |
|---|---|---|
| Expressway service and parking areas (SA/PA) | DC fast chargers | ¥600 million |
| New apartment buildings | Normal (AC) chargers | ¥400 million |
| Total | ¥1 billion (including administration costs) |
How the Call Works
- Why it exists: some projects could not apply in the earlier first and second rounds because installation would not finish in time. Applicants must submit proof that the work takes longer.
- New apartments: buildings must be before or under construction when applying, with completion planned in Japan’s fiscal year 2027. Existing buildings and detached houses are not covered.
- Selection: if a category is oversubscribed, projects asking for the lowest subsidy per kW are chosen first, then reviewed.
- Timeline (planned): applications from October to mid-November 2026; grant decisions December 2026 to January 2027; ordering and installation January to December 2027; final reports due mid-January 2028.
Other eligibility rules follow the earlier rounds of the same subsidy. METI notes the schedule may change.
What It Means
The apartment category is the one to watch. Installing chargers during construction is usually cheaper than adding them later, and the cost-per-kW selection rewards efficient, well-planned AC installations. Developers and electrical contractors should involve charger suppliers early so that hardware, load management and certification documents are ready before the deadline.
For shared parking, a networked AC unit with user management is the usual choice; our commercial EV charging page covers multi-user sites. Charger brands entering Japan can work with us through our OEM program. Always check the official application guide for eligible equipment before quoting.
Related Reading
- Apartment and Condo EV Charging: Solutions for Shared Parking
- EV-Ready New Construction: 2026 Building Codes and the Real Cost of Waiting
- Can I Get an EV Charger Installed for Free? Rebates and Programs
Sources & Standards
- Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry — FY2025 supplementary budget subsidy for charging and refuelling equipment (updated Sep 29, 2026)
- Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry — Outline of the multi-year charging equipment subsidy call (Sep 29, 2026)
- Next Generation Vehicle Promotion Center — Applications open for multi-year charging equipment subsidy (Oct 23, 2026)
