Reducing Heavy Physical Labor for Older Workers | Applications Now Open for the Reiwa 8 Age-Friendly Grant
Applications for the 2026 Age-Friendly Grant are now being accepted.
Applications for the Reiwa 8 fiscal year “Age-Friendly Grant” began being accepted on May 20, 2026.
Under the “Expert Measures Course (Workplace Environment Improvement, Exercise Instruction, etc.)” of this grant program, subsidies are provided to cover the costs of risk assessments conducted by experts and the costs of installing equipment based on those results (such as devices and machinery to compensate for declining physical function), with the aim of creating a safe working environment for older workers aged 60 and over.
In addition, the “introduction of heavy-load handling equipment and lifts” is included in the scope of the subsidy, and many companies have utilized this subsidy to introduce Schmalz manual handling systems.
We encourage you to take this opportunity to consider introducing a manual handling system using this grant.
We have also released a video on “How to Utilize the Age-Friendly Subsidy.”
This video uses animations to clearly explain how to utilize the grant for the introduction of various assistive devices, including our manual handling systems. We encourage you to watch it.
Video Contents:
Chapter 1: What Is the Age-Friendly Grant?
Chapter 2: The Grant Application Process
Chapter 3: Preparing Application Documents (*Explained in a follow-up video)
If you would like to view the follow-up video for Chapter 3, “Preparing Application Documents,” please feel free to contact us using the inquiry form below.
We will send you a link to the video via email at a later date.
■ Reiwa 8 Fiscal Year Age-Friendly Grant
| Eligible Businesses | This program is available to businesses that meet all of the following conditions (1) through (3). (1) Small and medium-sized enterprises that fall under any of the categories in the table below (2) The business has been in operation for at least one year (3) Excluding executives, the business regularly employs at least one older worker (aged 60 or older) covered by its workers’ compensation insurance |
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| Phase 1 (When conducting a risk assessment by an external occupational safety and health expert) |
Stage 2 | |
| Eligible Expenses | Expenses necessary for undergoing a risk assessment conducted by an external occupational safety and health expert that takes into account the characteristics of older workers *Instead of using an external expert, it is also possible to have the risk assessment conducted by the company’s own occupational safety and health officer and, based on the results, proceed directly with the application for Stage 2 listed on the right (in which case, an application for Stage 1 is not required). |
Introduction of equipment and devices to compensate for the decline in physical function of older workers, based on the results of the risk assessment Expenses required for other measures to prevent workplace accidents |
| Subsidy Rate | 4/5 | 1/2 |
| Maximum Amount | 1 million yen (excluding consumption tax) | |
| Application Period | Wednesday, May 20, 2026 – Saturday, October 31, 2026 *The application deadline for Phase 1 of the Comprehensive Expert Support Program is Monday, August 31. |
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■ Scope of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Eligible to Apply for the Age-Friendly Grant
| Industry | Number of Regular Employees * | Capital or Total Investment * | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail | Retail, Restaurants, Takeout and Delivery Food Services | 50 or fewer | 50 million yen or less |
| Service Industry | Healthcare and Welfare, Accommodation, Entertainment, Equipment Rental, Education and Learning Support, Information Services, Academic Research, Professional, and Technical Services, etc. | 100 or fewer employees | 50 million yen or less |
| Wholesale Trade | Wholesale | 100 or fewer employees | 100 million yen or less |
| Other industries | Manufacturing, construction, transportation, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, finance, insurance, etc. | 300 or fewer employees | 300 million yen or less |
| *A business is classified as a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) if it meets either the condition regarding the number of regular employees or the condition regarding capital stock, etc. | |||
Media contact
The Schmalz press team will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Click here to watch “How to Use the Age-Friendly Grant”
If you would like to watch “How to Use the Age-Friendly Grant” (Chapter 1: What Is the Age-Friendly Grant? / Chapter 2: The Grant Application Process), please click here.
Inquiries About Watching the Sequel Video
If you would like to watch the follow-up video (Chapter 3: Preparing Application Documents), please contact us here.
Japan Association of Occupational Safety and Health Consultants Official Site
For more information on the subsidy, please contact the Age Friendly Subsidy Office Center of the Japan Industrial Safety and Health Consultants Association. (external website)