Spring 2024 in Japan Brings In Changes for Health and People with Disabilities

By Barrier Free Japan, The Mainichi

April 7 2024

JAPAN – As spring and the next fiscal year arrives, some changes and new policies that may affect the elderly and people with disabilities in Japan will be rolled out, The Mainichi Shimbun reported on March 29th.

Public subsidies related to the coronavirus are changing. For the antiviral drug Xocova, a person who co-pays 30% is expected to be charged over 15,000 yen (around $99) for a five-day supply. Vaccinations will be offered to people including seniors aged 65 and older for out-of-pocket fees of up to 7,000 yen (around $46) once per year between fall and winter. Those under 65 will be charged the full cost as these become considered voluntary inoculations.

Limits on overtime for doctors will be imposed and backed by penalties. The limit will be 960 hours per year in principle, with an exception of an 1,860-hour yearly ceiling for doctors and resident physicians handling emergency care or operating in remote areas.

Fees paid to nursing care providers will go up 1.59% overall. Base pay is expected to rise by 2.5% in fiscal 2024 with the aim of improving working conditions for caregivers. Basic fees such as at special care homes for the elderly will see increases, resulting a rise in user fees, but basic fees for home-visit nursing services will fall.

Lastly, the revised Act for Eliminating Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities will come into effect. Previously, only “efforts” have been required of businesses to provide reasonable consideration for those with disabilities. Now, they will be obligated to do so the same way government agencies are. To remove barriers limiting the participation of people with disabilities in society, businesses will have to respond to their requests for reasonable consideration.