Reports of Abuse at Japan’s Disability Facilities Rise; Expert Cites ‘Night Shift’ Issues

By Barrier Free Japan

March 15 2026

TOKYO/HYOGO – Abuse by employees at welfare facilities for people with disabilities continued to rise in Japan in fiscal 2024, according to a survey by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

The ministry said there were 5,870 consultations and reports nationwide, with 1,267 cases determined to constitute abuse, both figures marking increases from the previous fiscal year.

Experts say many incidents occur at facilities that require overnight staffing. Naoki Sone, a visiting professor at the Japan College of Social Work and a former abuse prevention specialist at the ministry, speaking to The Mainichi Shimbun, noted that abuse cases involving staff frequently arise during night shifts at disability welfare facilities.

“During night shifts, care is often provided by fewer staff than during the day, and combined with drowsiness, it becomes easier for workers to lose emotional composure,” Sone said.

In one recent case, another employee quickly noticed that a resident had been injured and the facility reported the incident to the municipality where the victim was registered as well as to the city of Sanda. Authorities initially failed to determine the cause, and the facility consulted police more than three weeks after the incident. The suspect was arrested about three months later.

Sone described the case as “extremely malicious and serious even among abuse cases,” adding that the facility should have notified police immediately.

Sone also stressed that improving communication among staff and creating an open workplace culture can make it easier to report problems and help prevent abuse.