Japan’s Welfare Ministry to Introduce New Qualification Requirements for Disability Group Home Managers

From The Fukushi Shimbun

June 13 2026

TOKYO – The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) has announced its intention to introduce new qualification requirements for managers of disability group homes and to make training mandatory for staff members. The proposal was presented on the 5th at a meeting of the Social Security Council’s Subcommittee on Persons with Disabilities (chaired by Professor Kohei Komamura of Keio University). The move aims to improve the quality of services in response to a growing number of cases in recent years involving inappropriate practices by operators that prioritize profit over proper care.

Qualification requirements already exist for managers of employment support services and day-care services for people with disabilities, and similar requirements will now be introduced for group homes. To qualify as a group home manager, a person must have at least three years of practical experience supporting people with disabilities at facilities such as designated disability welfare service providers, designated disability support facilities, or designated consultation support offices, and must also complete a newly established Group Home Manager Training Program (tentative name).

The new rules are scheduled to take effect in April 2027, with a three-year transitional period. Managers of group homes that opened before fiscal year 2027 and who are already employed at the time the regulations come into force will not be required to have the three years of practical experience. However, managers of group homes established from fiscal year 2027 onward will need to have at least three years of relevant experience at the time the home opens.

The proposed manager training program will be administered by prefectural governments and some designated major cities. The MHLW is currently developing the curriculum. It plans to hold briefing sessions for local governments after the summer and will provide subsidies to municipalities that conduct pilot versions of the training during fiscal year 2026.

Meanwhile, mandatory staff training will apply to personnel directly involved in supporting residents with disabilities, including daily living support workers, care attendants, and night-shift support staff. Service providers will be legally required to ensure that these employees complete the training.

The MHLW plans to develop the training curriculum during fiscal year 2026, with implementation scheduled for fiscal year 2028. A transitional period will also be provided. Because a large number of staff members are expected to participate, the ministry is considering methods that will minimize the burden on employees and local governments, such as delivering the training through e-learning platforms.