Labor-Saving

Labor-Saving Subsidy (General Type)

中小企業省力化投資補助事業（一般型）(SME Labor-Saving Investment Subsidy, General Type)

Cut costs and boost efficiency while reducing reliance on manual labor by introducing DX systems and automation equipment. The subsidy cap is tiered by workforce size: 5 or fewer employees 7.5M, 6–20 employees 15M, 21–50 employees 30M, 51–100 employees 50M, 101+ employees 80M JPY (with the large wage-increase special exception, 101+ employees can reach up to 100M JPY)

Maximum SubsidyTiered by workforce size: 7.5M–80M JPY (101+ employees with the large wage-increase special exception: up to 100M JPY)

Overview

Key Facts at a Glance

Subsidy cap (by workforce size)

7.5M–80M JPY

5 or fewer 7.5M / 6–20 15M / 21–50 30M / 51–100 50M / 101+ 80M

Subsidy rate

1/2

Small-scale / business-reconstruction operators 2/3; portion above 15M JPY at 1/3

Acceptance method

Public-offering round system

Fixed application deadlines, not accepted on a rolling basis

Eligibility

Who Can Apply?

SMEs or small-scale business operators (as defined by the Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Basic Act)
Businesses in the process of introducing DX systems
Businesses wishing to replace manual labor with IT or equipment
Businesses facing labor shortages and seeking to improve operational efficiency
Businesses wishing to reduce the cost of introducing systems
Must formulate and submit a concrete plan for improving production efficiency

Eligible Costs

Which Costs Qualify?

DX system introduction

ERP, CRM, office automation systems, business-process digitalization solutions, etc.

Production-line automation equipment

Robotic arms, automatic assembly machines, automatic inspection devices, etc.

Cleaning / transport robots

Commercial cleaning robots, AGV automated guided vehicles, etc.

POS and order-management systems

Smart cash registers and order-automation systems for restaurants / retail

Automated warehouse / logistics systems

Automated storage/retrieval warehouses, automated sorting and conveyance systems

AI image inspection / quality-control devices

Automatic product-appearance inspection, defective-item screening systems

Application Process

From Consultation to Receipt, 5 Steps

Feasibility assessment for the subsidy

Conduct a comprehensive analysis of the company's business situation, development needs, and existing conditions to determine eligibility and probability of success.

System and automation solution proposal

Tailor a system and automation solution to your industry characteristics and business processes, including software feature design, equipment selection, and process-optimization advice.

Application document preparation and filing support

Assist in preparing the complete application package (application form, project plan, budget breakdown, corporate qualification documents, etc.) and guide you through the filing process.

Grant decision and project implementation

Only after receiving the grant decision (kofu kettei) notice may you formally purchase equipment or begin system introduction. Do not place orders or make payments before that.

Post-completion reporting and process support

After project completion, assist in preparing and submitting the performance report, ensuring compliance with subsidy-fund usage requirements and smooth receipt of the funds.

Required Documents

Main Documents Needed to Apply

Certificate of registered corporate matters (corporations) or final tax return (individuals)
Financial statements for the most recent 2 fiscal years (balance sheet / profit and loss statement)
Corporate tax return (including supplementary tables and account breakdowns)
Labor-saving investment plan (prepared with our assistance)
Quotation (equipment / system estimate)
Employee roster and employment-insurance-related documents
Wage-increase plan (prepared with our assistance)
Confirmation letter from a certified support organization (if required)

※ These are the main documents; the specific files required vary by application type and company situation. We provide full document-checklist support.

FAQ

FAQs about the Labor-Saving Subsidy (General Type)

QMy company has 5 or fewer employees. How much can we apply for?

ABusinesses with 5 or fewer employees have a subsidy cap of 7.5M JPY (up to 10M JPY when the large wage-increase special exception is met). The subsidy rate is 1/2 (up to 2/3 for small-scale operators), with the company bearing the remainder. This is well suited to micro-businesses or sole proprietors looking to start digital transformation.

QHow is the subsidy cap tiered by workforce size?

AThe authority sets 5 tiers by number of regular employees: 5 or fewer 7.5M, 6–20 15M, 21–50 30M, 51–100 50M, 101+ 80M JPY. Only the specific combination of "101+ employees AND meeting the large wage-increase special exception" reaches a cap of 100M JPY — not every business can apply for 100M. We will determine which tier applies based on your actual headcount.

QWhat is the subsidy rate? Can the full amount be covered?

AThe subsidy rate is 1/2 (SMEs), or 2/3 for small-scale operators / business-reconstruction operators. Note: the portion above 15M JPY is subsidized at a reduced rate of 1/3. The company must bear the remaining cost itself; there is no such thing as "full subsidization".

QCan this subsidy be applied for at any time?

ANo. The General Type uses a "public-offering round system" with a clear opening and closing date for each round; missing it means waiting for the next round. Like competitively reviewed subsidies, it is a "review-and-selection" scheme: after submission the secretariat reviews the application, and approval is not guaranteed. We will help you seize the application window and improve your chances of selection.

QI have already purchased the equipment — can I still apply?

ANo. You must receive the "grant decision" notice before purchasing equipment. If you buy first and apply later, the cost will not be recognized. This is a common mistake among business owners, so please be sure to consult us before applying.

QCan non-manufacturing sectors such as restaurants and services apply too?

AYes. The Labor-Saving Subsidy is open to all industries: restaurants can apply for automatic dishwashers and delivery robots; service businesses can apply for AI reception systems, POS systems, etc. As long as it addresses labor shortages and improves efficiency, any industry is within scope.

Data Source & Verification

The amounts and subsidy rates on this page reflect the Reiwa 8 (FY2026) basis (unchanged from Reiwa 7). The Labor-Saving Subsidy is a review-and-selection, public-offering round scheme; submitting an application does not guarantee selection. Reiwa 8 (FY2026) Round 7 acceptance begins July 1, 2026; and from Round 7 onward, businesses with "21 or more employees" must additionally publish a general employer action plan (一般事業主行動計画の公表) as a mandatory requirement. Specific acceptance deadlines are governed by the official application MyPage and the latest public-offering guidelines.

Official source: 中小企業省力化投資補助事業（一般型）事務局 (Secretariat, SME Labor-Saving Investment Subsidy, General Type)

Last verified: 2026-08-01

※ Subsidy/grant programs and amounts change with official public-offering guidelines; the authority's latest announcement prevails.