Aiming to reinforce the industrial base of semiconductor Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry（METI） provides subsidies for the stockpiling of helium and the domestic production and recycling of rare gases.
Regarding the indispensable raw material to produce the semiconductor which is a designated key substance, METI has started a system to support funding for the suppliers of such materials.
As for a concrete procedure, a supplier makes out a plan of attempt to assure a stable supply and submits it to METI for examination. If a submitted plan is certified, subsidies will be granted. 　
Certification started at the end of April this year. Among the 16 plans certified to assure supply, there were 7 cases relating to helium and rare gases. (See the attachment.)
　With effect from June 16, three cases were certified, Neon Recycle of Kioxia’s Yokkaichi and Kitakami, Sony’s Neon Recycle at Isahaya, Ohita and Tsuruoka, and Koatsu Gas Kogyo’s Helium Recovery and Recycle. For Kioxia and Sony, about 280 million yen and 380 million yen will be subsidized respectively, which account for one third of the total cost of each. 　
　Effective from July 28, METI granted certification for Iwatani Group’s Helium Stockpile and the three plans for Domestic Production of Rare Gases undertaken individually by JFE Steel + Tokyo Gas Chemical, Taiyo Nippon Sanso and Air Liquide Japan. It is anticipated that subsidies amounting to 20 billion yen at the maximum will be implemented for these five planned cases together with Rasa Industries’ High-purity Phosphoric Acid Recycle.
All of the cases are planned to continue as business for 10 years of longer from the start of planning. The details of planned businesses are not disclosed in view of probable influencing to the competition circumstances and a feared analogy.
　
The Economic Security Law which enacted in May of last year for phased enforcement from this year consists of the following 4 security pillars:
① Constant Supply of Important Substances
② Constant Procurement of Basic Infrastructure Services
③ Support for Development of Cutting-edge Important Technologies
④ Nondisclosure of Patent Application

As helium and rare gases are designated as important substances for semiconductor and the production of it, the stable procurement is required. The subsidization at this time is based on the required reinforcement of a supply chain referred to as above Constant Supply of Important Substances.