Special measure for the Employment Stability Subsidy for Industry after the 2026 (Reiwa 8) Kumamoto earthquake (sending employers are in Kumamoto Prefecture)When people from companies that lost work in the Kumamoto earthquake are lent to other companies, the government helps pay their wages
On October 15, 2026 (Reiwa 8), the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced a special measure for the Employment Stability Subsidy for Industry (sangyo koyo antei jyoseikin) for employers forced to scale back business and adjust employment because of the 2026 (Reiwa 8) Kumamoto earthquake. It covers secondments carried out from October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027 (Reiwa 9), with a subsidy rate of 4/5 for small and medium-sized enterprises and 2/3 for others.
Key points
- The special measure is named the Employment Stability Subsidy for Industry (2026 Kumamoto Earthquake Disaster Special Talent Securing Support Course).
- The sending employer is an employer in Kumamoto Prefecture that was forced to temporarily scale back business for economic reasons caused by the earthquake.
- The receiving employer is any employer nationwide that accepted a secondment from such a sending employer.
- The subsidy rate is 4/5 for small and medium-sized enterprises and 2/3 for others (it subsidizes wages paid during the secondment period from October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027).
- The special period covers secondments carried out from October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027. The related ministerial ordinance is expected to be promulgated and take effect promptly.
What to do in practice
- Check in the publisher's leaflet whether you qualify as a sending or receiving employer.
- Check the application procedure in the guidance of the competent Labour Bureau or similar office.
Some companies lost work because of the Kumamoto earthquake. A special program is starting: when employees of such companies temporarily go work at another company (called a "secondment"), the government helps pay for it.
- October 1, 2026 (Reiwa 8)The special period begins
- October 15, 2026 (Reiwa 8)The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announces the special measure
- September 30, 2027 (Reiwa 9)The special period ends
Points
- Help goes to companies in Kumamoto that lost work because of the earthquake, and to companies across the country that take in those workers.
- It covers secondments from October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027.
- The share of costs covered is 4/5 for small and medium-sized companies and 2/3 for others.
What the words mean
- Secondment (出向)
- Working at another company for a set period while still belonging to your current company
- Subsidy (助成金)
- Money from the government you can get if you meet the conditions, and do not have to pay back
- Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW): MHLW: Special measure for the Employment Stability Subsidy for Industry in connection with the 2026 (Reiwa 8) Kumamoto earthquake
This article summarizes and explains materials published by government agencies and is not advice on any individual case. Rules can change, so for actual procedures and decisions always check the latest original materials and consult professionals such as tax accountants or labor and social security attorneys. English, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese versions are translations prepared from the Japanese articles for convenience. If anything differs, the Japanese text and the original source take precedence.