Mitsubishi Electric Early Voluntary Retirement Program Sees 4,700 Employees Apply

On February 3, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation announced that approximately 4,700 employees across its group applied for the Mitsubishi Electric early voluntary retirement program, representing nearly 3% of the company’s total global workforce. The applications were submitted under a voluntary scheme with no upper limit on participation.

Scale of Applications and Financial Impact

The company estimates that expenses related to the program will reach around ¥100 billion in the fiscal year ending March 2026 (FY2025). These costs are expected to be reflected as restructuring-related expenses as Mitsubishi Electric adjusts its organizational structure. Within Mitsubishi Electric Corporation itself, 2,378 employees applied for the program. This figure accounts for slightly less than 1% of the company’s total workforce, indicating that the majority of applications originated from group subsidiaries rather than the parent entity.

Program Announcement and Group-Wide Adoption

Mitsubishi Electric initially disclosed the voluntary resignation initiative in September 2025, describing it as a “next-stage support special program.” Following the announcement, group companies introduced similar measures aligned with the parent company’s framework. The company positioned the initiative as part of a broader effort to support organizational transformation while providing eligible employees with an opportunity to transition voluntarily.

Eligibility Criteria and Timeline

The Mitsubishi Electric early voluntary retirement program targets permanent employees aged 53 or older who have completed at least three years of service as of March 15, 2026. The eligibility criteria also extend to individuals who were re-employed after reaching retirement age. The planned resignation date for employees approved under the program has been set for March 15. The company did not disclose any intention to extend the program beyond this timeline or introduce additional phases. As Mitsubishi Electric proceeds with the implementation, the company is expected to focus on balancing cost optimization with long-term operational stability across its industrial, energy, and electronics businesses.