Abstract: A shaft supporting apparatus for a planetary gear reduction device wherein a driven shaft having a secured flange on one end is supported by both a tapered bearing and a thrust bearing. The outside surface of the tapered bearing is secured within a counterbored recess of the housing of the gear reduction device and the inner bearing bore of the tapered bearing is journaled on the driven shaft. The thrust bearing is disposed within a space between a radially extending wall of the driven shaft flange and a radially extending interior wall of the gear reduction device housing.In the presence of a radial force exerted on the driven shaft, the driven shaft is supported by the tapered bearing and the thrust bearing. By this simple arrangement, the required bearing space for supporting the driven shaft is minimized, thereby providing a thinner and lighter weight planetary gear reduction device.