Number of disabled people employed in Japan reaches record high, bias in work, criticism of “number-filling”

From The Mainichi Shimbun via Yahoo! Japan

February 4 2025

TOKYO – In the 2024 employment status of disabled people announced by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (as of June 1), the number of disabled people working in private companies has reached 677,461 (35,283 more than the previous year), the highest number ever for the 21st consecutive year. The actual employment rate also rose 0.08 points from the previous year to 2.41%, reaching a record high for the 13th consecutive year.

However, only 46.0% of companies achieved the statutory employment rate (2.5%), a decrease of 4.1 points from the previous year. The statutory employment rate was raised from 2.3% to 2.5% in April 2024, and will be 2.7% from July 2026. It is expected that employment of disabled people will be further promoted in the future, but on the other hand, there is also a bias in the work content of disabled people, and it seems that there is a reality that the jobs they can choose are limited.

According to a 2011 survey on the employment status of people with disabilities conducted by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the manufacturing industry was the most common employer of physically disabled people, including wheelchair users, at 21.3%, but in terms of the type of work, clerical work was the most common at 26.3%, and only 15% were jobs related to the production process.

According to Naoya Tsuji (53), managing director of AJU Independence House, a social welfare corporation that provides employment support for people with disabilities (headquartered in Nagoya), people with disabilities are often recommended to do work that can be done from home or simple tasks. “In some cases, companies limit the work that can be assigned to people with disabilities in order to meet the legal employment rate, and hire people just to make up the numbers. If they are treated like that, it becomes difficult for them to feel motivated,” he points out.

In many cases, companies make the mistake of assuming that there are no jobs suitable for people with disabilities, or that it will be difficult for them to fit into the workplace.

Tsuji said, “If disabled people are entrusted with work without making any big distinction between able-bodied people and disabled people, they will be able to work with pride, and more people will be motivated to improve their skills. If such efforts are made in large companies, we will be one step closer to creating a society where it is easier for disabled people to work.”