Executives and Staff at Tokyo Social Welfare Corporation “Tokiwa-kai” Found to Have Abused Mentally Disabled Patients, Over-claimed for Care Costs

From The Sankei Shimbun

March 31 2024

Kodaira City, Tokyo – The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has found that the executives and other staff members of a social welfare corporation “Tokiwa-kai” in Kodaira City, Tokyo, had abused several mentally disabled patients, and that the corporation’s workshop and group home had received excessive compensation for welfare for the disabled even though they did not meet the personnel standards and other requirements.

According to the corporation, the amount of overpayment is estimated to be tens of millions of yen. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has demanded that the corporation return the money and has instructed it to correct the inappropriate aspects of its operations. The corporation stated that it would make improvements in accordance with the guidance, including the return of remuneration.

The corporation operates 13 facilities in Kodaira City. According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the overpayment of remuneration occurred at the “Asayake Workshop,” the main facility of the corporation, and one group home. The corporation did not report reductions in compensation or improperly received additional compensation even though it did not have the necessary staffing and other arrangements in place.