Work Style Reform Support Subsidy — Industry-Specific Challenges Course

① Overview: This subsidy helps SMEs in construction, transport, hospitals, sugar manufacturing in Kagoshima/Okinawa, IT/communications and lodging improve productivity and address industry-specific working-time challenges. Goals include overtime reduction, leave systems, work intervals, two-day weekends and physician work-style reform. ② Applicants: Employers must be workers' compensation-insured SMEs meeting size limits and operating primarily in an eligible industry. Every designated workplace must keep annual-leave records; workplaces with ten or more workers must file compliant annual-leave rules before applying. Working-time improvement measures must be included in the plan. ③ Funding: Eligible improvements include training, awareness, consulting, work-rule and labor-agreement revisions, recruitment, labor-management software/devices, digital tachographs and productivity equipment. Direct fees, travel, rentals, services, publicity, printing, equipment and outsourcing may qualify. Competitive quotes are normally required and contracts occur after award. ④ Rates and schedule: The rate is 3/4, or 4/5 for employers with 30 or fewer workers when qualifying equipment costs exceed JPY 300,000. Industry/goal ceilings and wage-related additions can bring the maximum to JPY 9.3 million. Apply by November 30, 2026 at 17:00; generally complete by January 31, 2027, or March 14 for sugar manufacturing.