June 9, 2023 Project to Promote the Use of Local Digital Infrastructure (Subsidized Project) Determination of Candidates for the First Round of Public Solicitation for Proposals and Commencement of the Second Round of Public Solicitation

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has selected the candidates for the first round of public solicitation for proposals under the FY2023 Project to Promote the Use of Local Digital Infrastructure (subsidized project) based on the evaluation of external experts. MIC has also decided to conduct a second round of public solicitation for this project from today through Friday, July 28, 2023.

1. Overview

MIC provides comprehensive support through the Project to Promote the Use of Local Digital Infrastructure to local governments and related entities to solve regional issues by utilizing digital technology toward the realization of the Digital Garden City Nation.

As part of implementing this project, MIC is soliciting proposals from a wide range of local governments, companies, and organizations for support (subsidized project support) for the development of telecommunications infrastructure and other necessary costs to solve regional issues.

2. Details of the decision

The following nine proposals were selected as candidates for adoption based on the results of an evaluation by an evaluation committee comprised of external experts.

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  An outline of the adopted public solicitation works will be posted on the MIC website as soon as it is ready. https://www.soumu.go.jp/menu_seisaku/ictseisaku/ictriyou/digital_kiban/index.html

3. Second round of public solicitation (additional public solicitation)

MIC will conduct the second round of public solicitation for proposals under the Project to Promote the Use of Local Digital Infrastructure (subsidized project) from today through Friday, July 28, 2023.

1. Subject of public solicitation

Initiatives to develop communications infrastructure, including local 5G, Wi-Fi, and LPWA, and to solve regional issues through digital utilization.

2. Proposing entities

Local governments, private companies, organizations, etc.

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  If a company or organization is an implementing entity, it must form a consortium with at least one local public entity.

3. Subsidy rate 1/2

The following local government bonds may be issued for the local share (1/2) when the local government is an implementing organization of the subsidized project.
Bonds for depopulation control projects, remote areas control projects, public works, and general auxiliary facility improvement projects

4. Implementation Guidelines, etc.

Implementation Guidelines in PDF Subsidy for Information and Communication Technology Utilization Project (Project to Promote the Use of Local Digital Infrastructure)
Subsidy Grant Guidelines in PDF for Information and Communication Technology Utilization Projects

5. Schedule

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  The schedule is subject to change depending on the evaluation situation and other factors.

4. Submission method

1. Submission period

From 10:00 am on Monday, July 24 to noon on Friday, July 28, 2023

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  Please note that MIC cannot accept submissions before the above period.

2. Submission method

Submit the following application documents either method i. or ii.

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  In addition to the above, attach any other materials that supplement your proposal, if any, in an A4 size (any format), not exceeding 10 pages.
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  Forms 1, 3, 4, 6-1, and 6-2 differ depending on whether the implementing organization is a local public entity/private business operator (e.g., a tax-exempt business operator) or a private business operator (e.g., a consumption tax paying business operator).

[Submission destination]

1. i.
   Submission to the Regional Bureau of Telecommunications or the Okinawa Office of Telecommunications
   Submit the electronic data of the application documents to the Regional Bureau of Telecommunications that has jurisdiction over the project implementation area (or the Okinawa Office of Telecommunications in the case of Okinawa or the Regional Bureau of Telecommunications in the main project implementation area if there are multiple implementation areas) by email or a large file transfer system designated by the Regional Bureau of Telecommunications or Okinawa Office of Telecommunications.
   See the Implementation Guidelines for contact information for each Regional Bureau of Telecommunications or the Okinawa Office of Telecommunications.
   
   

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     Enter the subject line of the email as follows:
     Subject: Subsidized project (XX City, YY Prefecture)
     In the parentheses, indicate the name of the local government or company/organization.
2. ii.
   Application through jGrants (a system for filing requests for subsidies)
   For this project, it is possible to apply through jGrants (a system for filing requests for subsidies), which can complete the process from the public appeal to post-project procedures online. Be aware that a gBizID prime (a gBiz ID) is required for application with this system.
   
   

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     Submission to the Regional Bureau of Telecommunications or Okinawa Office of Telecommunications is not required when using J-grants.

5. Selection procedure

MIC makes a selection based on the results of an evaluation by external experts.

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  The published materials are in Japanese only.