More than 20,000 People with Disabilities in Japan Waiting for Care Facilities Across 30 Prefectures; Government Lacks Comprehensive Data

From Kyodo via Yahoo! Japan

August 2 2026

TOKYO – At least 20,000 people with disabilities across 30 prefectures are waiting to enter residential care facilities or group homes (GHs) despite wishing to use them, a nationwide survey by Kyodo News found on Aug. 2.

Many of those waiting are people with severe intellectual disabilities living at home, with the shortage of facilities capable of meeting their needs believed to be the main reason. The survey highlights the reality that care continues to fall largely on family members while the central government has yet to gain a clear picture of the number of people on waiting lists.

The survey was conducted in June and July. Although local governments differed in when they collected data and how they compiled it, Hiroshima Prefecture reported the largest number of people waiting, at 1,763, followed by Okayama Prefecture with 1,598.

Seventeen prefectures said they either did not track waiting lists or did not disclose the figures, citing reasons such as the lack of a standardized method for compiling the data.

The waiting list figures include not only people seeking admission to a facility in the future but also those already using one facility who wish to transfer to another.

Among the 30 prefectures, eight separately counted people waiting for group homes in addition to those seeking places in residential institutions.

Nine prefectures, including Saga and Mie, said they collect detailed information on applicants, such as whether they have severe behavioral disorders involving self-injury or aggression, face a risk of abuse, or require medical care. They use this information to assess both the priority for admission and the difficulty of arranging appropriate placements.