選挙時の公約、補助金（税金） Pledges for subsidies (Tax Money) at the time of election

選挙になると、補助金、支援・・・・、と甘い言葉を繰り出す政党、候補者が多くいます。

私には過去に何度が補助金をもらい、研究開発や試作品作りに使わせてもらった経験があります。

その時に感じたことを、反省を込めて以下いくつか記述します。

１．補助金支給先を決定する人、通常は役人と言われる公務員には、補助金を支給する理由を理解できない、技術であれば目利きや評価ができない人が多いです。

２．補助金は申請事業経費に対して100%支給されることはほぼありませんので、申請者は事業費の30%から50%は自己資金を準備しなければならず、結果的に申請対象事業を肥大化させて、申請者の負担になります。

３．補助金の一部は支給者側の政府や市町村関係団体に（指導や補助支援業務として）還元される仕組みなっていますので、支給名目額全額を申請者は使えません。

４．補助金はまだ成果を出していない事業に使われる金（税金）です。大半の場合、成果が出ず、死に金になります。

これらのことから、私は以下のように考えています。

５．同じ金（税金）を使うなら、成果を出した場合に報奨金として支給し、更に次の成果を生むために、継続的な研究や試作を行う金、生きた金にすべきです。

６．政府や市町村からの多くの補助金はそれを申請する人、会社に申請事業を無駄に肥大化させ、経費の無駄使いなどを誘発し、時には堕落させます。これはかつての住専問題、ゼロ金利融資などの結果を見れば明白です。多くの場合、税金の無駄使いです。

When election season comes around, there are many parties and candidates who spout sweet promises about subsidies, support...

I have received subsidies several times in the past and used them for research and development and prototype creation.

Below are some of my observations from those experiences with a sense of reflection.

1.  Many of the people who decide subsidy recipients—typically civil servants referred to as bureaucrats—cannot understand the rationale for granting subsidies. When it comes to technology, many lack the expertise to discern or evaluate it.

2. Subsidies rarely cover 100% of the project costs. Applicants must prepare 30% to 50% of the project expenses from their own funds. This often leads to inflating the scope of the project, increasing the applicant's burden.

3. A portion of the subsidy is structured to be returned to the granting government or municipal organizations (as guidance or support fees). Consequently, applicants cannot use the full amount as stated in the grant.

4. Subsidies are taxpayer money allocated to projects that have yet to demonstrate results. In most cases, they fail to deliver results and become dead money.

Based on these points, I believe the following:

5. If the same taxpayer money is to be used, it should be allocated as a reward upon achieving results. Furthermore, it should be transformed into living capital—funds for ongoing research and prototyping to generate subsequent outcomes.

6. Many subsidies from the government or municipalities encourage applicants and companies to unnecessarily inflate their projects, waste expenses, and sometimes even lead to corruption. This is evident when looking at the outcomes of past issues like the Jusen problem and zero-interest loans. In many cases, it's a waste of tax money.