Tokyo is paying care offices to hire people who are not care managers. Under the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's grant rules for the current fiscal year, in-home care support offices (the offices that employ care managers) can claim up to three-quarters of a clerical worker's pay, capped at ¥2.7mn of eligible cost for one person.
The scheme has three strands. The clerical-hire strand is the largest; the other two are small, flat-capped add-ons for consultants and publicity. The programme text says the aim is to improve efficiency and management at offices in Tokyo.
| Strand | Eligible cost | Cap on eligible cost | Subsidy rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clerical staff hiring | Pay and benefits for one clerical worker | ¥2.7mn | 3/4 |
| Management improvement | Expert or consultant dispatch costs | ¥400,000 | 10/10 |
| Publicity | Costs of publicity to secure users | ¥300,000 | 10/10 |
What counts as eligible
The clerical-staff strand covers salary, wages, statutory welfare costs, benefits, bonuses and allowances for one person, whether newly hired or already employed this fiscal year. Overtime pay is excluded. The worker must be based at the applicant's Tokyo office and do only clerical work there, though covering other offices' clerical work, including those run by other corporations, is allowed. The worker must be expected to stay at least one year, and full-time or part-time status does not matter.
The consultant strand pays for outside experts used on improvement steps. The rules list new add-on claims, better staff pay and conditions, larger or jointly run offices, and fallback arrangements that keep small offices running. The publicity strand covers costs of recruiting users. The grant rules' model application shows a ¥2.725mn total across all three strands.
Timing and cash flow
Applications are due 28 December 2026, and performance reports are accepted from 12 January 2027. The jGrants listing separately shows an application window running from 28 October 2026 to 19 March 2027, so applicants should confirm the closing date with Tokyo's long-term care insurance division.
The money comes late. Tokyo pays after the project is complete, once the governor has fixed the final grant amount from the reported results, and the project must finish within the fiscal year of the award. Offices must carry the payroll first. The grant is also paid only within Tokyo's budget, and the rules state no total.
Conditions that can bite
Applicants may not take private subsidies for the same costs, and must keep ledgers and receipts for five years after completion. If Tokyo's on-site guidance has flagged problems at an office, an improvement report must have been submitted and confirmed.
Clawbacks carry a penalty. If the governor cancels an award for false statements, misuse of funds or breach of conditions, the recipient must repay and pay 10.95 per cent a year on the amount from the date of receipt. The same rate applies to late repayment. A recipient who objects to the award decision or its attached conditions can withdraw the application within 14 days of receiving the award notice.