Checked against the official page on 2026-10-20. Part of Oak’s directory of Japanese business grants.
Before you apply
- The money is not up front. You pay for the whole project yourself. The grant reimburses a share of it (often half to two-thirds) after a completion report has been checked, typically 6 to 18 months after applying.
- Do not spend before approval. Costs ordered, contracted or paid before the official grant decision (交付決定) are usually not eligible.
- Strict conditions. Employment grants are paid only if every condition is met and documented on time. A missed deadline or an incomplete record can void the claim.
- Obligations continue after payment. Reports for up to five years, inspections, and targets in your plan. Missing them can mean repaying part or all of the grant.
| Japanese name | 業務改善助成金 |
|---|---|
| Level | National · Nationwide |
| Administered by | MHLW / labour bureaux |
| Type | Wage raise + capex (joseikin) |
| Maximum amount | ¥300,000–6,000,000 depending on raise (FY2026 courses ¥50/70/90) and number of workers |
| Subsidy rate | 3/4–4/5 (4/5 if in-house min wage < ¥1,050) |
| Who can apply | SMEs whose in-house minimum wage is within a set gap of the regional minimum |
| Support organisation | None |
| How to apply | Portal or paper (labour bureau) |
| Rounds and deadlines | Annual window ~2026-09-01 to the day before the new regional minimum wage takes effect or 11-30 (varies by prefecture; some closed in Oct) |
| Adoption rate | Grant decision required before purchase; budget-limited |
Can a foreign-owned company apply?
Any employer running a 雇用保険適用事業所 can apply, including foreign-owned companies and registered Japanese branches of foreign companies (no Japanese-HQ test). SME vs non-SME rate is judged on enterprise capital OR regular headcount (小売/サービス/卸/その他 thresholds), so a branch of a large foreign group usually gets the lower 中小企業以外 rate. SME status required.
Points to note
Funded from the general account. FY2026 dropped the ¥30/¥45 courses. Prior grant decision makes it closer to a 補助金 workflow.
How Oak can help
Employment and training grants (助成金) from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare are filed by licensed labour and social security attorneys (sharoshi), not by gyoseishoshi. Contact us and we will point you to a qualified sharoshi; we can still check the rest of your grant options.