This article examines the protection needs of the self-employed and the developments in such protection in Japan. Arguments are put forward for further improving the protection for the self-employed beyond the existing protection framework. These efforts towards improving protection are expected to continue in the future. However, this is not to suggest that a specific stance has been adopted with regard to the content of such protection for those self-employed who are eligible. Such protection is still very much in the stage of preliminary consideration. While the development of such protection is still in the early stages, emergency steps taken in the COVID-19 pandemic have included income support measures to cover the loss of work for self-employed people whose tasks are similar to those of an employee. The self-employed who are eligible for such protection are those who seek protection. It may be argued that, regardless of the intentions of policy-makers, the policies that are pursued are a reflection of how the self-employed perceive their needs.