Concurrent Employment Law for Reserve Self-Defense Officials starts April 1, 2027

The enforcement date for the system allowing Reserve Self-Defense Officials and others to balance their duties as national or local public servants with their primary occupations has been officially set for April 1, 2027. Cabinet Order No. 273, “Cabinet Order Establishing the Enforcement Date of the Act on Special Provisions for Concurrent Employment of National and Local Public Servants to Ensure the Smooth Execution of Duties of Reserve Self-Defense Officials, etc.,” published in the Official Gazette on September 9, 2026, designated the enforcement date as said day.

The Cabinet Order was enacted based on the provisions of Paragraph 1 of the Supplementary Provisions of the Act on Special Provisions for Concurrent Employment of National and Local Public Servants to Ensure the Smooth Execution of Duties of Reserve Self-Defense Officials, etc. (Act No. 40 of 2026). The promulgation was issued jointly by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Minister of Defense Shinjiro Koizumi.

System Design of the Concurrent Employment Special Provisions Act

This law establishes special provisions regarding restrictions on concurrent employment under the National Public Service Act and the Local Public Service Act, enabling Reserve Self-Defense Officials and Assistant Reserve Self-Defense Officials to balance their duties with their primary occupations. The target individuals are Reserve Self-Defense Officials and Assistant Reserve Self-Defense Officials serving under the command of the Ministry of Defense; the law streamlines the procedures for those performing Self-Defense Force duties while employed by a ministry, agency, or local government.

The Cabinet Order establishing the enforcement date was a matter delegated to the supplementary provisions of the law, and the timing for the start of the system has been finalized through this promulgation.

Schedule Until Enforcement

• Promulgation Date: September 9, 2026 (Published in the Official Gazette)
• Enforcement Date: April 1, 2027
• Legal Basis: Act No. 40 of 2026, Supplementary Provisions, Paragraph 1

Target Persons and Impact

This system change directly affects those registered as Reserve Self-Defense Officials or Assistant Reserve Self-Defense Officials who are also employed as national or local public servants. Upon enforcement, the respective ministries, agencies, and local governments will be required to establish work management and concurrent employment approval procedures based on the premise of balancing duties with Self-Defense Force missions.

The enforcement date is set approximately seven months from now, ensuring a preparation period for the relevant ministries, agencies, and local governments before the system begins.

Source: Cabinet Order No. 273, “Cabinet Order Establishing the Enforcement Date of the Act on Special Provisions for Concurrent Employment of National and Local Public Servants to Ensure the Smooth Execution of Duties of Reserve Self-Defense Officials, etc.,” published in the Official Gazette on September 9, 2026 (2026-09-09) (Document Reference: 20260909h017860002)