The government will provide money for both learning AI and implementing AI.
And it's not just a "portion." For individuals, it's up to 80% of tuition. For companies, it's 75% of training costs and 1/2 to 2/3 of AI tool implementation costs.
Until last year, I thought, "This is probably just for capital investment in the manufacturing industry."
I was wrong.
The AI and data fields are currently where the government's systems are most heavily invested. The "IT Introduction Subsidy" has included "AI" in its name since 2026. For the "Labor-Saving Investment Subsidy," the government is even distributing a PDF titled "Collection of Business Plan Examples Utilizing Generative AI."
In writing this article, I opened the official websites of all seven systems one by one and re-collected all the figures. I also actually operated the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's search system.
The confirmation date is August 25, 2026.
I'll present the overview first. Detailed explanations will follow.
Overview First: 3 for Individuals, 4 for Companies
Available for Individuals (Workers)
- Education and Training Benefit System: Up to 80% of education and training expenses. Annual limit of 640,000 yen, total of 1.92 million yen over 3 years. Targeted at those working and enrolled in employment insurance, or those within 1 year of leaving their jobs.
- Education and Training Support Benefit: Equivalent to 60% of the daily basic allowance. Targeted at those under 45 receiving specialized practical training who are unemployed during the training.
- Career Up Support Project through Reskilling: Total reduction of up to 560,000 yen in tuition fees. Targeted at current employees aiming for a career change.
Available for Companies
- Human Resource Development Support Grant (Investment in People Promotion Course): 75% of expenses + 1,000 yen per person/hour in wages. For providing advanced AI/digital training to employees.
- Human Resource Development Support Grant (Business Development Reskilling Support Course): 75% of expenses + 1,000 yen per person/hour in wages + 50% capital investment bonus. For training associated with DX or new business ventures.
- Digitalization and AI Introduction Subsidy 2026 (formerly IT Introduction Subsidy): Within 1/2, or within 2/3 depending on conditions. Maximum 4.5 million yen. For introducing IT tools including AI.
- SME Labor-Saving Investment Subsidy (General Type): 1/2, or 2/3 depending on conditions. Maximum 100 million yen. For system construction and equipment introduction including AI.
All rates and limits are for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). They are lower for large corporations. Detailed figures are in each section.
While this sounds like a dream, honestly, it's not that easy. I will also write about the pitfalls.
Before That: Grants and Subsidies are Different
Many articles mix these up, but their natures are completely different.
- Grants (助成金 - Joseikin) (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, employment-related): Generally paid if you meet the requirements and follow the procedures. It is not a competition.
- Subsidies (補助金 - Hojokin) (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry / SME Agency): There is a public call, a screening process, and you can fail. Since there is a budget limit, applications are selected in order of the quality of the plan.
If you act on the thought that "I heard I can get an AI subsidy," you will stumble here.
However, grants are not "guaranteed" either. The pamphlet for the Human Resource Development Support Grant states: "Please note that submitting a plan notification does not guarantee that the grant will be paid."
The government wrote this themselves, so keep that in mind.
Individual Section
1. Education and Training Benefit System (Max 80%)
This is an employment insurance system. AI and data field courses are placed in the most generous category of this system.
There are three categories:
- General Education and Training: 20% of expenses, max 100,000 yen.
- Specified General Education and Training: 40%, max 200,000 yen. If employed within 1 year of obtaining a qualification, 50%, max 250,000 yen.
- Specialized Practical Education and Training: 50%, annual max 400,000 yen. If employed within 1 year of obtaining a qualification, 70%, annual max 560,000 yen. Furthermore, if wages increase by 5% or more compared to before the training, 80%, annual max 640,000 yen.
AI and data science courses are almost always "Specialized Practical." That's why it's "up to 80%."
However, 80% is the third stage of a three-stage rocket; if you only complete the course, it's 50%. I'll mention this again at the end.
How to Find AI Courses
There is a search system by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. It's free and requires no registration.
https://www.kyufu.mhlw.go.jp/kensaku/
I learned two things by actually using it.
First: There is a specific filter for AI.
If you open "Specify Field/Qualification Name," there is a checkbox at the very bottom for "Fourth Industrial Revolution Skill Acquisition Course." This is a category of IT/data courses certified by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (commonly known as Re-Skill Courses), covering AI, machine learning, and data science.
Second: By default, only one-third of the courses appear.
The default implementation methods are only "Commuting (Daytime)," "Commuting (Nighttime)," and "Commuting (Weekends)," excluding correspondence/online courses.
Here are my test results:
- Default (Commuting only) + Fourth Industrial Revolution Skill Acquisition Course -> 39 cases
- Adding "Correspondence (e-learning)" -> 116 cases
- Further adding "Courses with a high percentage of people whose wages have increased" -> 26 cases
The online courses, which are the main choice for people who want to learn while working, are all hidden by default.
By the way, among the 116 cases, there was a 4-week e-learning course for 28,000 yen. If that reaches the 80% benefit, it effectively costs 5,600 yen.
Entry Requirements (Missing these makes everything useless)
- Employment insurance enrollment period of 3 years in principle. However, for the first-time recipient, it's 2 years for Specialized Practical, and 1 year for Specified General and General.
- For those who have left their jobs, the period from the day after leaving to the start of the course must be within 1 year.
- You cannot receive it if you have received an Education and Training Benefit within 3 years prior to the course start date.
I often see explanations saying "1 year across the board for the first time," but for Specialized Practical, it's 2 years even for the first time. This is the entrance to the 80% benefit, so getting this wrong is a dead end.
Procedure Deadlines
For Specialized Practical and Specified General, procedures are required before starting the course.
- Create a "Job Card" and receive pre-training career consulting.
- Receive confirmation of eligibility at Hello Work.
- The deadline is, in principle, up to 2 weeks before the start of training.
If you skip this, you won't get a single yen even if you meet all other requirements. This is probably the most common mistake.
Note that General Education and Training does not require this pre-course procedure. It differs by category.
2. Education and Training Support Benefit (Living Expenses During Training)
This is a system that can be used in conjunction with #1. It supports living expenses rather than tuition.
- Target: People taking Specialized Practical Education and Training. However, correspondence and nighttime courses are excluded.
- Must meet certain requirements, such as being under 45 at the start of the course.
- Must be unemployed during the training period.
- The amount is equivalent to 60% of the daily basic allowance for courses starting after April 1, 2025.
There is one piece of information that is painful to overlook here.
This is a provisional measure until the end of fiscal year 2026.
That means until the end of March 2027. I don't know if it will be extended. If you plan to use it, act on the premise that the system has a set deadline.
Also, correspondence and e-learning-centered courses are ineligible. I mentioned "116 cases when adding e-learning" in section 1, but if you're aiming for this benefit, you'll need to look at the commuting courses instead of those 116.
I think this is a good example of how conditions can flip when you cross systems.
3. Career Up Support Project through Reskilling (Max 560,000 yen)
This is a project by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. It's a completely different system from #1 and is predicated on changing jobs.
- Target: Those who are employed at the time of registration and the first career consultation interview, and who aim to change jobs involving a change of employer.
- If the course is completed, 1/2 of the tuition fee (excluding tax), up to 400,000 yen.
- If you change jobs and it's confirmed you've been continuously employed for 1 year, an additional 1/5 equivalent, up to 160,000 yen.
- Total up to 560,000 yen.
- Career consultation and job change support are free.
The important thing here is the flow of money.
The direct target of the subsidy is not the individual.
It's clearly stated on the official website. The subsidy is paid to the service provider, and the student receives the course at a "price reduced by more than that amount." 560,000 yen will not be transferred into your bank account.
Therefore, how much cheaper it gets depends on the provider. You have to ask each provider directly.
Individual Section Summary: Which One Should You Use?
- Want to improve skills at your current company while working -> #1 (Education and Training Benefit)
- Want to change jobs while working -> #3 (Career Up Support Project). Also compare with #1.
- Currently unemployed and want to settle down and relearn -> Combination of #1 and #2 (Commuting Specialized Practical)
Since #1 and #3 cannot be used together, you must first decide which system to use. Please confirm your decision with Hello Work and each service provider.
Corporate Section
From here on is for the company side.
As a prerequisite, employers with employees covered by employment insurance are eligible. Sole proprietors working alone cannot use these grants. They can use subsidies.
4. Human Resource Development Support Grant (Investment in People Promotion Course)
This is a grant for when you have employees take AI/digital training. The figures were taken from the August 3, 2026 version of the pamphlet.
Grant Rates by Training Menu
Figures in parentheses are for non-SMEs.
- Advanced Digital Talent Training: Expense grant 75% (60%), wage grant 1,000 yen (500 yen) per person/hour.
- Growth Field Talent Training: Expense grant 75%, wage grant 1,000 yen.
- Information Technology Field Certified Practical Combined Vocational Training: Expense grant 60% (45%), 75% (60%) if wage requirements are met.
- Subscription-based Training: Expense grant 60% (45%), 75% (60%) if wage requirements are met.
- Voluntary Vocational Ability Development Training: Expense grant 45%, 60% if wage requirements are met.
Expense Grant Limit per Person
For Advanced Digital Talent Training. Parentheses are for large companies.
- Less than 100 actual training hours -> 300,000 yen (200,000 yen)
- 100 to less than 200 hours -> 400,000 yen (250,000 yen)
- 200 hours or more -> 500,000 yen (300,000 yen)
- University (per year) -> 1.5 million yen (1 million yen)
Subscription-based training is 20,000 yen per person/month.
The annual limit per business establishment is 25 million yen. Only Voluntary Vocational Ability Development Training has a limit of 3 million yen.
Here is the Main Point: What is on the Target Course List?
The targets for "Advanced Digital Talent Training" are clearly stated as follows:
- Courses aiming for ITSS/DSS-P level 3 or 4 qualification acquisition.
- Fourth Industrial Revolution Skill Acquisition Course (Re-Skill Course).
- Courses listed on Manabi DX that are level 3 or 4.
- Universities (Information Science, Information Engineering, and related fields).
Does the second one look familiar?
It's the same category that yielded 116 cases in the Education and Training Benefit search system in Individual Section #1.
In other words, for the same course, if the individual takes it, they get up to 80% via Education and Training Benefit; if the company has them take it, they get 75% of expenses + 1,000 yen/hour in wages via Human Resource Development Support Grant. The systems are separate, but the course lists they look at overlap.
I found this to be the most interesting part this time.
Note that for qualification acquisition courses, it is necessary to actually take the target qualification/exam within 6 months from the day after the course ends. Just taking the course is not enough.
5. Human Resource Development Support Grant (Business Development Reskilling Support Course)
This is another course under the same Human Resource Development Support Grant. It targets training associated with launching new businesses or DX/GX implementation.
Grant Rates
- SMEs: Expense grant 75%, wage grant 1,000 yen per person/hour, capital investment bonus 50%.
- Large companies: Expense grant 60%, wage grant 500 yen, no capital investment bonus.
Expense Grant Limit per Person/Training
- SMEs: 300,000 yen for 10-100 hours, 400,000 yen for 100-200 hours, 500,000 yen for 200+ hours.
- Non-SMEs: 200,000 yen, 250,000 yen, 300,000 yen respectively.
Other limits:
- e-learning/correspondence training: 150,000 yen for SMEs / 100,000 yen for large companies.
- Subscription-based training: 20,000 yen per person/month.
- Wage grant limit is 1,200 hours. Specialized Practical Education and Training is 1,600 hours.
- Capital investment bonus is 150,000 yen per worker. The limit is 1.5 million yen for 10 or more people.
- The annual limit per business establishment is 100 million yen.
The difference from #4 is the capital investment bonus. It covers up to 50% of the cost of purchasing equipment necessary for training. Cases like installing a GPU machine to learn AI are within scope.
This is a Time-Limited System
It's clearly stated on the first page of the pamphlet: "The Human Resource Development Support Grant (Business Development Reskilling Support Course) was established as a limited-time grant for fiscal years 2022 to 2026."
Fiscal year 2026 is right now.
I don't know if it will be extended. If you plan to use it, I think it's best to act without putting it off.
Points that became stricter in the recent revision
For e-learning training based on plan notifications submitted on or after August 3, 2026, it is now limited to once per worker per fiscal year. Other training is up to three times a year.
This revision was three weeks ago. It's not in older explanation articles, so please check the official source.
6. Digitalization and AI Introduction Subsidy 2026 (formerly IT Introduction Subsidy)
The name changed in 2026. From "IT Introduction Subsidy" to "Digitalization and AI Introduction Subsidy." This means AI is now in the name.
Contents of the General Category
- Subsidy rate is within 1/2. If certain wage conditions are shown, it's within 2/3.
- Subsidy amount is 50,000 to less than 1.5 million yen for 1+ process, and 1.5 million to 4.5 million yen for 4+ processes.
- Eligible items: Software purchase costs, cloud usage fees (up to 2 years), functional expansion, data linkage tools, security, implementation consulting, implementation training, maintenance support.
Being able to cover up to 2 years of cloud usage fees is quite significant for companies introducing SaaS-type AI tools.
There are 5 categories:
- General Category
- Invoice Category (Invoice-compatible type)
- Invoice Category (Electronic transaction type)
- Security Measure Promotion Category
- Multi-party Collaboration Digitalization and AI Introduction Category
The Deadline is Near
The 4th deadline for the General Category is August 25, 2026 (Tue) 17:00. The grant decision is scheduled for October 7 (Wed).
There is no time left.
5th and 6th rounds are prepared, but the schedules have not been announced yet. The official website states, "We only announce schedules for recruitment rounds that have been finalized." So, honestly, I can't say whether "there's more to come" or "this is the last one."
Here is the Pitfall
You cannot apply with general-purpose processes alone.
The IT tool requirements state, "Apply for software that possesses one or more types of business processes (general-purpose processes alone are not allowed)." And "general-purpose/automation/analysis tools" are classified as general-purpose processes and cannot be used alone.
In other words, an application like "I want to subscribe to ChatGPT to improve business efficiency" will not pass under this framework. It must be linked to business processes such as customer response/sales support, payment, inventory/logistics, accounting/finance, or HR/payroll.
One more thing. It's a format where you introduce registered IT tools in partnership with registered IT introduction support providers (excluding the multi-party collaboration category). You cannot choose and buy any tool you like and apply later.
There is an IT tool search on the official website, but it clearly states: "The use of this information for purposes other than this project is strictly prohibited."
Therefore, I will not create a list of target tools in this article. Please search for yourself. If you see an article like "I've listed all the AI tools," I think you should be skeptical.
7. SME Labor-Saving Investment Subsidy (General Type)
This is a subsidy aimed at resolving labor shortages. It targets equipment introduction utilizing digital technologies such as IoT and robots, and system construction is also included.
Subsidy Rate
- 1/2 for SMEs. 2/3 when the minimum wage increase special exception is applied.
- 2/3 for small-scale enterprises/businesses and restructuring businesses.
Maximum Subsidy Amount
Changes based on the number of employees. Parentheses are for the significant wage increase special exception.
- 5 or fewer employees -> 7.5 million yen (10 million yen)
- 6 to 20 employees -> 15 million yen (20 million yen)
- 21 to 50 employees -> 30 million yen (40 million yen)
- 51 to 100 employees -> 50 million yen (65 million yen)
- 101 or more employees -> 80 million yen (100 million yen)
The scale is different. Since the Digitalization and AI Introduction Subsidy #6 is a maximum of 4.5 million yen, this is more than 10 times that.
And there is one thing to note.
The secretariat released the "General Type: Collection of Business Plan Examples Utilizing Generative AI" on April 16, 2026.
This means the government is distributing examples of how to write business plans using generative AI. The answer to the question of whether generative AI can be handled with this subsidy exists as an official document.
The 8th public call began on August 18, 2026. The catalog order type (up to 15 million yen) is also open for applications from the same day until mid-October.
However, since it's a subsidy, there is a screening process and you can fail. That's where it differs from a grant.
If You Want to Start from 0 Yen: Manabi DX
This has all been about money so far, but one last thing.
There is a platform called Manabi DX operated by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and IPA.
It lists courses on generative AI, data science, software development, security, etc., and some courses have free tuition.
And as written in Corporate Section #4, level 3 and 4 courses listed on Manabi DX are targets for the Advanced Digital Talent Training of the Human Resource Development Support Grant.
Try it for free, then continue with a grant. You can set up this sequence.
Finally, Some Inconvenient Truths
I've listed "up to 80%" and "75% of expenses," but there's something I want to write honestly.
I used the Education and Training Benefit search system to filter for "courses with a high percentage of people whose wages have increased" and looked at the performance data of the courses that passed.
These are courses from companies well-known for AI education. Out of 357 graduates in fiscal year 2024, 37 responded regarding their wage status. The breakdown was as follows:
- Increased by 30% or more -> 5.4% (2 people)
- Increased by 10% to less than 30% -> 5.4% (2 people)
- Increased by less than 10% -> 10.8% (4 people)
- No change -> 70.3% (26 people)
- Decreased (total of 3 categories) -> 8.1% (3 people)
Wages increased for 8 out of 37 people. For 70%, there was no change.
Moreover, since the official category only goes up to "increased by less than 10%," it's impossible to read from the official data how many people met the 80% condition of a "5% or more increase."
I won't write "it's probably about this much" for something I don't know, as that would be a lie.
So my conclusion is this:
- Individuals should budget based on the assumption of 50%. Treat 70% and 80% as bonuses.
- Companies should use grants not as a "reason to do training," but as a "means to lower the cost of training they've already decided to do."
If the order is "I'll learn because there's a system," it probably won't go well. The correct order is "the cost of what I've decided to learn will be less than half."
How to Use This Article
There are only three things to do:
- Decide whether you are on the individual or corporate side. If you're in a position to use both, proposing #4 or #5 to your company as an employee is the most beneficial.
- Check the entry requirements. Individuals check the benefit eligibility period at Hello Work; companies check employment insurance application and the Labor Bureau.
- Check the latest version on the official website.
The third point is really important, though I may be repetitive.
Among the systems covered in this article, the Human Resource Development Support Grant's latest version is August 3, 2026, and the e-learning frequency limit changed three weeks ago. The Digitalization and AI Introduction Subsidy changed its name this year.
Systems move. This article is a record as of August 24, 2026. When you actually apply, be sure to check the official sources.
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## Official Pages Confirmed in This Article (August 24, 2026)
- Education and Training Benefit System (MHLW) https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/koyou_roudou/jinzaikaihatsu/kyouiku.html
- Education and Training Benefit System (Hello Work Internet Service) https://www.hellowork.mhlw.go.jp/insurance/insurance_education.html
- Education and Training Benefit Procedure Flow (MHLW) https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/koyou_roudou/jinzaikaihatsu/kyouiku_00014.html
- Education and Training Course Search System (MHLW) https://www.kyufu.mhlw.go.jp/kensaku/
- Career Up Support Project through Reskilling (METI) https://careerup.reskilling.go.jp/worker/
- Human Resource Development Support Grant (MHLW) https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/koyou_roudou/koyou/kyufukin/d01-1.html
- Investment in People Promotion Course Guide (Detailed Version) Aug 3, 2026 https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/11800000/001731974.pdf
- Business Development Reskilling Support Course Guide (Detailed Version) Aug 3, 2026 https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/11800000/001731978.pdf
- Digitalization and AI Introduction Subsidy 2026 https://it-shien.smrj.go.jp/
- SME Labor-Saving Investment Subsidy (General Type) https://shoryokuka.smrj.go.jp/ippan/
- Fourth Industrial Revolution Skill Acquisition Course Certification System (METI) https://www.meti.go.jp/policy/economy/jinzai/reskillprograms/index.html
- Manabi DX (METI/IPA) https://manabi-dx.ipa.go.jp/
