JAPAN BIZ: Japanese seniors embracing life in second career as entrepreneurs
Japanese seniors are increasingly starting their own businesses after retirement, supported by government subsidies and consulting services. This trend is helping to address the economic challenges of a rapidly aging society.
Why it matters
Encouraging entrepreneurship among the elderly provides a model for other aging nations to maintain economic productivity.
TOKYO - Starting a business after retirement or later in life has been gaining traction among Japanese seniors, as they leverage their experiences and extensive personal networks to build a second career.
Research by Teikoku Databank Ltd. showed that the percentage of newly established companies headed by people aged 60 and older rose to 20.5 percent in 2025, up 3.2 percentage points from the previous year and topping 20 percent for the first time.
A range of support from free consultations with experts and networking events to public sector support such as subsidies is being offered to aspiring senior entrepreneurs in a country known for its rapidly graying society.
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