Q&A on COVID-19 Helpline
This section introduces the most frequent Q&A inquiries received from foreign and foreign-affiliated companies.
If you cannot find the information you need, please contact us using the COVID-19 Helpline inquiry form.
For companies that use JETRO's "Personal Adviser System for Foreign Companies," dedicated staff members can provide information.
Status of Residence
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Can you tell us if there are any special measures related to the novel coronavirus regarding the status of residence?
Refer to the following websites:
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Information related to COVID-19
Source: Immigration Services Agency -
Border enforcement measures to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19)
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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Information related to COVID-19
Employment in Japan
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What is the Employment Adjustment Subsidy program?
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
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Is it possible to apply for the Employment Adjustment Subsidy Program even if employees are not covered by employment insurance?
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
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My company is considering laying off employees as a result of worsening performance due to the coronavirus. What rules and support measures are involved?
Refer to the following for an outline of the rules for dismissals.
Funding and credits
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I would like to know what governmental support measures for financing are in place?
Refer to the following websites:
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METI's support measures
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For business operators affected by new-type coronavirus infections in METI (pamphlet) (Japanese only)
(2.0MB)
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Subsidy Program for Sustaining Businesses
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Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) List of Cash Flow Support (Japanese only)
(1.0MB)
- Inquiries regarding overall financial support (See METI pamphlet p. 6.)
SME Finance and Benefits Help Desk tel.0570-783183Some financing support measures are also provided by local governments.
Source: Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
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METI's support measures
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What is the Novel Coronavirus Disease Special Loan Program?
Japan Finance Corporation (JFC) is providing support by means of special loan to cope with novel coronavirus disease.
Applicable if:
- your sales in the most recent month have decreased by 5% or more from the same period of the previous year or the same period two years before.
- you have been in business for three months or more but less than one year and one month, and if your sales in the most recent month have decreased by 5% or more compared to any of the following:
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1.
Average monthly sales for the past three months (including the most recent one month)
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2.
Sales in December 2019
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3.
Average monthly sales from October to December 2019
Source: Japan Finance Corporation
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Is there an application deadline for the Novel Coronavirus Disease Special Loan? Is there a possibility that application is closed after reaching its quota if I do not apply early enough?
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
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As regards an application for the Subsidy Program for Sustaining Businesses by a company established last year, what is the calculation method and the basis for it?
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.
Source: The Small and Medium Enterprise Agency
General Support by the Government of Japan
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Can support to SMEs be used by foreign capital companies?
Yes, if the entity is incorporated in Japan and meets the standards for SMEs.
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Definition of Small and Medium Enterprises and Small Enterprises
Source: The Small and Medium Enterprise Agency -
SME Support Japan
Source: SME SUPPORT JAPAN
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Definition of Small and Medium Enterprises and Small Enterprises
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Most of the support measures provided by the Japanese government are in Japanese. Can I get them in English?
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's services
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How does JETRO support foreign companies affected by the novel coronavirus?
"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.
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Are IBSC's temporary offices in operation?
All IBSC's temporary offices in Japan have resumed operations.