50% OFF50% off your first order · First month free on monthly plansGet coupons →

Welcome campaign

Your first project, at half price.

Create a free account and your first order is 50% off — on everything. Monthly plans are free for the first month. Claim coupons, order and approve deliverables, all in one place.

Create a free account

Already a member? Log in

* 50% off applies to one first order (menu item or request) after sign-up. Monthly plans: first month free, once per plan. Cannot be combined with coupons — the better discount applies.

50% OFF50% off your first order · First month free on monthly plansSign up
SYJSEIICHI STUDIO
EN
JPY
  • Prices are set in Japanese yen (JPY). Amounts in other currencies are approximate.
Log in50%OFFSign up

Industry updates

← All industry updates

Rules, subsidies & lawRetail & e-commerce2 min read

Only 25.9% fully understand the new ¥750,000 blue-return deduction, survey finds

A freee survey of 2,000 sole proprietors and side-job workers found that about 70% know of the legal change raising the blue-return special deduction to up to ¥750,000, but only 25.9% understand the requirements in detail. 64.7% are unsure whether they qualify, so preparation is the real challenge for small business owners.

Key points

  1. About 67% know the system, but only 25.9% understand the requirements in detail, and 33.1% had never heard of it
  2. 62.1% want to apply (16.6% definitely, 45.5% if possible); the top hurdle is the complexity of procedures and fear of mistakes (866 responses)
  3. 26.4% of salaried workers with side jobs had never heard of it versus 40.6% of sole proprietors and freelancers, a 14.2-point gap

Background

Under the legal change, the blue-return special deduction rises from the current maximum of ¥650,000 to a maximum of ¥750,000 for filers who meet certain requirements. Because ¥100,000 more can be deducted from income, taxable income can be lower.

The survey was run by freee, an accounting software provider, as a web questionnaire from September 14 to 16, 2026. It covered 2,000 people planning to file 2026 returns (1,064 salaried workers with side jobs and 936 sole proprietors/freelancers). Respondents are limited to planned filers and the survey comes from a vendor of related services, so the results should be read with that in mind.

What it means for shops

For owners who run a shop or small business as individuals, a higher deduction is a chance to reduce tax, but it may require checking requirements and preparing bookkeeping and filing methods. With 40% of sole proprietors unaware, the survey points to a risk of reaching filing season without enough information.

What shops should do

  1. Check the National Tax Agency's official pages for the requirements and start timing of the ¥750,000 deduction

🔒 3 more action items for subscribers

Unlock (first month free)

Original releasePR TIMESprtimes.jp ↗

Summaries are written by Seiichi Studio based on the original releases. Always check the source for the exact details.

More in this industry

Tourism & inboundRetail & e-commerceRules, subsidies & law

Tax-free shopping moves to a refund method on 1 Nov: four points shops should explain

From 1 November 2026, consumption-tax exemption for visitors to Japan switches to a refund method: tourists pay the tax-inclusive price, and the equivalent of the consumption tax is returned after customs confirms at departure that the goods are taken out. Tax-free shops are expected to explain, before purchase, why visitors pay tax-inclusive prices and what they must do when leaving. Pie Systems Japan has released explainer videos in five languages.

PR TIMESRead →
Food & restaurantsTrade & going globalRules, subsidies & law

Japan orders first-ever pesticide-residue testing of every lot of Chinese okra (MHLW)

On 30 October 2026 the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) issued an inspection order under the Food Sanitation Act for okra from China and simply processed okra products. It is the first such order for pesticide residues in Chinese okra, and every lot in each import notification must now be tested. Restaurants and shops that buy frozen okra should check their suppliers.

厚生労働省Read →
Trade & going globalRules, subsidies & law

US to negotiate over robot and machinery imports under Section 232, no new tariffs yet

On October 28, President Trump issued a proclamation directing negotiations with other countries over imports of robotics and industrial machinery under Section 232. As of that day it did not include additional tariffs or other import restrictions. Japan exports a lot in the product category involved, so machinery makers and traders should keep watching.

JETRO ビジネス短信Read →
Rules, subsidies & lawSocial & web marketingRetail & e-commerce

Japan's CAA: 13 misleading-ad orders in FY2025, 7 so far in FY2026 (to Sept 30)

Japan's Consumer Affairs Agency has published its running tally of legal actions under the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations as of September 30, 2026, along with summaries of cases from October 2025 to September 2026. National cease-and-desist orders total 381, and recent cases cover fake reference prices, coupon deadlines, undisclosed paid posts, origin claims and No.1 claims. It is a practical checklist for any shop that advertises discounts.

消費者庁Read →
Rules, subsidies & law

Revised Whistleblower Protection Act takes effect Dec 1; CAA releases guideline explainer videos

Japan's Consumer Affairs Agency has published videos explaining the statutory guidelines under the revised Whistleblower Protection Act, which takes effect on December 1, 2026. Topics include informing staff about the reporting system, extending protection to freelancers, preventing obstruction of reports and hunting for reporters, and stronger protection against retaliation. Small businesses that employ or contract with people should check what applies to them.

消費者庁Read →