Japan’s Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare to “take measures to revise compensation” Regarding Overcharging for Food at ‘Megumi’ Group Homes for the Disabled

Extract from The Asahi Shimbun

November 24 2023

TOKYO – In response to the issue of Megumi, a nationwide operator of group homes (GH) for people with disabilities, having been found to have misappropriated food expenses from people with disabilities at 139 GH facilities in Aichi Prefecture, including those operated by Megumi, Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Keizo Takemi announced at a post-cabinet meeting on November 24th that he would take measures to revise compensation for welfare services for the disabled in the next fiscal year.

Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Keizo Takemi said at a post-Cabinet meeting on November 24th that he intends to take measures in preparation for the revision of compensation for welfare services for the next fiscal year. He stated that he is considering the maintenance of accounting records and the introduction of a system that would allow periodic checks from the outside.

Takemi pointed out that “as a result of an investigation in Aichi Prefecture, inappropriate handling was confirmed, including the diversion of food expenses collected from users to personnel expenses and utility expenses,” and that this “must not be allowed in light of the criteria for GH designation. He then stated that, in regard to next year’s revision of compensation, “From the perspective of ensuring transparency and quality of support, we will clearly state again that accounting and other records should be maintained, and we are currently considering the introduction of new measures to regularly include outside eyes, including those from the local community.