Q&A on support for businesses in Japan amidst measures to limit the spread of novel coronavirus disease

Refer to the following websites:

The Employment Adjustment Subsidy during the emergency response period by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare is a system that partially subsidizes the costs incurred by business owners who have been forced to reduce their business activities for economic reasons and implemented paid leave, secondment to other companies, or education and training for their employees.

Although it is available for a wide range of applicants including branches of foreign companies, applicants must be business establishments who are subject to employment insurance (Hello Work) or worker's accident compensation insurance (labor bureau) plan and registered corporations.

Normally, the system is only applicable to employees who are enrolled in employment insurance. However, during the emergency response period, it also applies to absence from work by employees who are not covered by employment insurance.

Reference website:

Contact for inquiries

A call center is also available to respond to inquiries about employment adjustment subsidies.

0120-60-3999 (Service hours: 9:00 to 21:00 including Saturdays, Sundays and holidays)

Source: Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare

Normally, the program requires employees to be covered by employment insurance. However, during the emergency response period, it also applies to absence from work by employees who are not covered by employment insurance.

Source: Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare

Refer to the following for an outline of the rules for dismissals.

Refer to the following websites:

Source: Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry

Japan Finance Corporation (JFC) is providing support by means of special loan to cope with novel coronavirus disease.

Applicable if:

Source: Japan Finance Corporation

There is no deadline to apply for the Novel Coronavirus Disease Special Loan. Please be assured that an adequate budget has been allocated for this special loan program to provide sufficient amount of loans.

Source: Japan Finance Corporation

Novel Coronavirus Disease Special Loans are not available for businesses which have been operating for less than three months after foundation.

Source: Japan Finance Corporation

The Subsidy Program for Sustaining Businesses is a grant that can be widely used in all business activities to support business continuity and provide a means of recovery to businesses that are particularly affected by, for example, voluntary closure of business due to the spread of infectious diseases.

Conditions for application:

Source: The Small and Medium Enterprise Agency

For a business established between January and December 2019, if monthly business revenue for the subject month has decreased by 50% or more compared to the average monthly business revenue in 2019, an application for the exception is available.

Yes, if the entity is incorporated in Japan and meets the standards for SMEs.

JETRO has also compiled English-language information.

It is also possible to inquire about the availability of English-language information for each assistance measure by the government ministries and agencies through JETRO. Contact us from the inquiry form.

"JETRO COVID-19 Helpline" provides consultation in Japanese, English and Chinese to foreign-affiliated companies that have been negatively affected by the new coronavirus and to foreign companies that have suspended their plans to enter the Japanese market due to the novel coronavirus. The helpline answers questions about funding, visa procedures, Government assistance and more. It can be accessed by phone or through an online form on the JETRO website.

All IBSC's temporary offices in Japan have resumed operations.