Japan raises the Professional and Practical Education and Training Benefit rate from 70% to 80% (October 2024)
Source material is a Japanese government announcement (in Japanese); this page is a summary.
From 1 October 2024 the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare raised the Professional and Practical Education and Training Benefit rate to up to 80% (annual cap of 640,000 yen).
Key facts
| In force from | 1 October 2024 (for courses started on or after 1 October of Reiwa 6) |
|---|---|
| Responsible body | Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Prefectural Labour Bureaus and Hello Work offices) |
| Scheme covered | Employment insurance Professional and Practical Education and Training Benefit |
| What changed | Benefit rate raised from 70% to 80% |
| During the course | 50% of training costs paid, annual cap of 400,000 yen |
| Extra on gaining the qualification and finding work | A further 20%, annual cap of 160,000 yen |
| Extra if wages rise by 5% or more | A further 10%, annual cap of 80,000 yen |
| Maximum benefit rate | 80%, annual cap of 640,000 yen |
Last checked:
From October 2024 the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare raised the benefit rate of the employment insurance Professional and Practical Education and Training Benefit from 70% to 80%. For people who started a course on or after 1 October 2024, if they gain the qualification and find work and their wages after completing the training are at least 5% higher than before they started the course, a further 10% of the training costs is paid (annual cap of 80,000 yen). Together with the 50% paid during the course (annual cap of 400,000 yen) and the extra 20% on gaining the qualification and finding work (annual cap of 160,000 yen), this brings support to up to 80% (annual cap of 640,000 yen).
Background — why this change
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare said it was making this expansion to encourage the use of reskilling in response to technological innovation and changing business models.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
Summaries reflect national-level programs. Municipal (city/ward/town) programs may differ — confirm with the official desk before applying.
FAQ
Who does the 80% rate apply to?
The maximum 80% (annual cap of 640,000 yen) applies to people who started a course on or after 1 October 2024 and who, as well as gaining the qualification and finding work, have wages after completing the training that are at least 5% higher than before they started the course.
How is the annual cap made up?
The 50% paid during the course is capped at 400,000 yen a year, the extra 20% for gaining the qualification and finding work at 160,000 yen a year, and the extra 10% for a wage rise of 5% or more at 80,000 yen a year — up to 80% in total, with an annual cap of 640,000 yen.