Translation guide
A subsidy is financial assistance from a government or organization to support a specific activity, industry, or group. In Japanese, the most common and versatile term is 補助金 (hojokin), but other words like 助成金 (joseikin) and 交付金 (kōfukin) are used depending on the context and type of support.
To refer to a subsidy in a broad sense, such as government grants or aid to businesses, individuals, or projects.
The most common and general term for a subsidy. It covers a wide range of financial assistance from national or local governments, as well as other organizations.
政府は中小企業に補助金を支給した。
The government provided subsidies to small and medium-sized enterprises.
このプロジェクトは市の補助金で運営されています。
This project is run with a subsidy from the city.
Often used for grants or subsidies aimed at supporting specific activities, research, or social programs. It can imply a more targeted or conditional form of aid compared to 補助金.
研究助成金を申請する。
Apply for a research grant.
この財団は芸術活動に助成金を出している。
This foundation provides subsidies for artistic activities.
Refers to funds distributed by the government, often to local governments or specific sectors. It can be a type of subsidy but emphasizes the act of allocation or delivery.
地方交付金は自治体の重要な財源だ。
Local allocation grants are an important source of revenue for municipalities.
To talk about subsidies tied to particular sectors or policy goals.
Still the default term, often combined with the specific field (e.g., 農業補助金 for agricultural subsidies).
農業補助金は農家の収入を支えている。
Agricultural subsidies support farmers' incomes.
Often used as a suffix or in compound words to indicate support or subsidization for a specific purpose (e.g., 住宅助成 for housing assistance).
To describe a subsidy that lowers the consumer price of a product or service.
Can be used in this context, though it may be clarified with additional words.
ガソリン価格を抑えるための補助金が支給された。
Subsidies were provided to keep gasoline prices down.
Also possible, especially when the subsidy is part of a broader support program.
補助金 is the broadest term for any financial subsidy. 助成金 often implies a grant for a specific project or activity, with more emphasis on the purpose. 交付金 refers to funds allocated by the government, often to local entities, and may not always be a 'subsidy' in the sense of supporting a particular activity—it can be a general fiscal transfer.
補助金は様々な分野で使われる。
Subsidies are used in various fields.
助成金は特定のプロジェクトに支給されることが多い。
Grants are often provided for specific projects.
交付金は地方自治体に配分される。
Allocation grants are distributed to local governments.
When in doubt, 補助金 is the safest and most widely understood term for 'subsidy' in Japanese. It can be used in most contexts, from government policies to corporate support programs.
You can receive a subsidy for installing energy-saving equipment.
燃料費の高騰に対応するため、助成金が拡充された。
Subsidies were expanded to cope with soaring fuel costs.