Record number of abuse of persons with disabilities reported in Japan, at least 2,665, at home or in institutions

By Barrier Free Japan with extracts from The Asahi Shimbun

March 29 2022

TOKYO – In fiscal year 2020, the number of people with disabilities who were abused at home or in institutions in Japan totalled 2,665 as identified by local governments nationwide. This was an increase of 267 from the previous fiscal year. The number of consultations and reports also increased to 9,421, 902 more than the previous year, both of which are the highest numbers ever, the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare (MHLW) announced the number on March 29.

Of those consulted or reported, 6,556 occurred at home, and 1,775 were determined to have been abused. 47.5% of those abused had intellectual disabilities, 41.6% had mental disabilities , and 17.3% were physically disabled. The abuser was the father 25.2% of the time and the mother 22.6% of the time. Husbands made up 14.8%.

There were 2,865 consultations and reports of abuse that were reported to have occurred in facilities for the disabled, and abuse of 890 people was confirmed. One case involved the death of a mentally disabled man in his 40s living in a group home. In this case, the person in charge of the site was the abuser.