Tech-savvy "weirdos" are now wanted for an unusual government-sponsored project that seeks to spur innovation by backing people capable of producing "disruptive change" in conservative Japan.
Starting Monday, the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry began taking applications from "idiosyncratic and innovative" individuals who hope to pioneer ambitious IT-related projects that could emulate Internet juggernauts like Facebook.
Successful candidates could receive up to ¥3 million per year to pursue original projects. These subsidies may also be renewed if ministry-appointed supervisors determine that the project looks promising.