Employment conditions remain severe amid changes in the industrial structure. This makes the creation of new employment opportunities that take advantage of the dynamism of small and medium sized enterprises an essential aspect of securing stable employment for workers now and in the future.
      To this end, the Ministry of Labour is supporting activities related to securing and training human resources, and creating an attractive work environment by utilizing venture companies and other small and medium sized enterprises in new business areas (referred to collectively as "venture companies" below) via the Law Concerning the Promotion of Improvement of Employment Management in Smaller Enterprises for Securing Humanpower.
      Furthermore, a variety of policies to support the development of venture companies are being implemented. For example, information provision events called "Meeting Place for Venture Companies" are being held all over the country. Consultations and the provision of information about job offers, human resources, and support programs are being provided for the management of venture companies and for people interested in finding employment at such companies. Also, opportunities for interchanges, called "Venture Companies Support Network," are being made available to public and private agencies and organizations, for the purpose of helping the growth and development of venture companies.

Outline of the Main Measures Based on the Law Concerning the Promotion of Improvement of Employment Management in Smaller Enterprises for Securing Humanpower
a.	Subsidies provided to employers of smaller enterprises who employ workers for new activities
This program covers a portion of the wages of newly employed workers, when the new employment is intended to promote new areas of business (including the creation of new business activity and/or entry into a different business field.)
b.	Subsidies provided to employers of smaller enterprises who improve employment management, for the benefit of new business activities
This program covers a portion of the costs of making workplaces more attractive and employing new workers for the development of new business areas.
c.	Special subsidies provided to employers of smaller enterprises who employ workers for new activities, and who also join the employment insurance system
This program covers a portion of the costs of employment management at the establishment of a new business. It applies to individual employers of smaller enterprises who join the employment insurance system; employ new workers; receive subsidies provided to employers of smaller enterprises; and who employ workers for new activities. This will be available up until March 2002.
d.	Subsidies provided to employers of smaller enterprises who employs workers or develops work skills
This program covers a portion of the wages and the costs of vocational training, when smaller enterprises provide schemes including personnel exchange, vocational training, either inside or outside of the establishment, or a paid vocational training holiday, when the purpose of these is to develop work skills which are necessary to improve business or to enter a new business area.
e.	Subsidies provided to employers of smaller enterprises who secure high-level human resources
This program covers a portion of the costs related to accepting high-level human resources (researchers who develop new products, managers with sophisticated and specialized expertise in the areas of personnel management or financial affairs, etc.) for the purpose of creation of a new business, entry into a different business field, new product development, adding value to existing products, expansion of sales channels, etc. The means of accepting these recruits may include temporary transfer, commission, or hiring. At the same time, the same or a larger number of workers as the existing number of high-level human resources have to be newly employed.
f.	Subsidies provided to employers of smaller enterprises who improve their working environment as well as employ new workers
This program covers a portion of the costs related to installation or provision of equipment (air conditioning systems, anti-vibration devices, lightning fixtures, adjustable working platforms, etc.) or welfare facilities (dormitories for employees, health facilities, eating facilities, educational and/or cultural facilities, child care facilities, etc.) used to improve and make the working environment more attractive. In addition, in order to qualify, workers have to be newly employed.