Suspected Abuse at Yokohama Disability Support Facility, Residents Called “Scum”, Locked in Rooms

From The Mainichi Shimbun via Yahoo! Japan

July 16 2026

YOKOHAMA – A staff member at a residential support facility for people with disabilities in Yokohama’s Totsuka Ward allegedly verbally abused residents by calling them “trash” and other insults, and confined them to their rooms without following the required procedures, according to interviews with people familiar with the matter. Yokohama city officials are aware of the incidents and have launched an investigation on suspicion that abuse was occurring on a routine basis.

The facility in question is Asahi Juku, operated by the social welfare corporation Asahi no Sato in Totsuka Ward. It houses people with severe intellectual disabilities, including individuals with severe behavioral disorders who are at risk of self-harm or harming others.

According to those familiar with the situation, in late June a staff member verbally abused a male resident who was using the toilet, shouting remarks such as, “Come on, get it out (the feces),” and “You piece of trash.” The toilet door was also left open, allowing other residents to see him while he was defecating.

Around the same time, another male resident was isolated in his room. Staff secured the door from the outside by wedging a piece of wood against it, preventing him from opening it from inside and effectively restraining him.

Both incidents were confirmed through videos and photographs obtained by the Mainichi Shimbun.

In interviews with the Mainichi Shimbun, the chairperson of the social welfare corporation, who also serves as director of Asahi Juku, acknowledged that the verbal abuse and confinement had occurred. Regarding the use of physical restraint and leaving the toilet door open, she said, “We would like to consider alternative approaches.”