Abuse of Disabled Workers by Employers in Japan Fell by 1.5% in FY2024

From CB News via Yahoo! Japan

September 3 2025

TOKYO – According to the 2024 survey on the “Status of Abuse of Persons with Disabilities by Employers,” released by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare on September 3, the number of workplaces where abuse reports were filed rose to 1,593, a 5.4% increase from the previous year. However, the number of disabled workers subject to reports and notifications fell 1.5%, totaling 1,827.

The survey was conducted to understand abuse by “employers,” such as business owners and supervisors of workers with disabilities. It compiled cases reported from prefectures to labor bureaus, direct consultations or information provided to labor bureaus, labor standards inspection offices, and public employment offices, as well as cases uncovered through on-site inspections or workplace visits.

Of the 1,593 workplaces with reports in FY2024, the most common route was “consultation with labor bureaus or similar authorities,” accounting for 1,169 workplaces (73.4%). This was followed by “reports from prefectures” at 258 workplaces (16.2%).

Abuse was confirmed at 434 workplaces (down 2.9% year-on-year), involving 652 workers (down 14.3%). By disability type, people with intellectual disabilities accounted for the largest share at 32.8%, followed by psychiatric disabilities (29.5%), physical disabilities (24.7%), and developmental disabilities (5.7%).

In terms of abuse content, economic abuse—unjust financial disadvantage—made up the vast majority at 85.0%. Other cases included psychological abuse (9.8%), physical abuse (3.1%), and neglect or abandonment (1.5%).

By employment type, part-time and temporary workers were most affected (46.9%), followed by regular employees (27.3%).

As for measures taken by labor bureaus, “guidance based on labor-related laws and regulations” accounted for 87.0%, including “guidance under the Minimum Wage Act” (25.6%). In addition, “advice and guidance or dispute resolution assistance under the Act on Employment Promotion of Persons with Disabilities” (8.2%) and under the Comprehensive Promotion of Labor Policies Act (2.7%) were also reported.