Staff Member at Oita Disability Support Facility Dismissed for Assaulting Two Residents

From The Mainichi Shimbun via Yahoo! Japan

August 26 2026

OITA – It has emerged from interviews with people familiar with the matter that a staff member at a disability support facility operated by a social welfare corporation in Bungotono, Oita Prefecture, was dismissed after being found to have abused two residents with intellectual disabilities by assaulting them. Following an investigation, Bungotono City determined that abuse had occurred and required the facility to submit measures to prevent a recurrence.

According to Bungotono City, Oita Prefecture, and other sources, a suspected case of abuse came to light at the end of June after a report was made by someone involved with the facility. The facility subsequently conducted an internal investigation, which revealed that a male permanent employee in his 20s had assaulted a male resident in his 40s with an intellectual disability.

The victim sustained minor injuries to his face, but the facility initially treated the incident as an accident. During the subsequent investigation, it was also discovered that the same employee had assaulted another man in his 20s who attended the facility as a day user. The employee denied both allegations of assault. However, based on interviews with other staff members and other findings, the facility concluded that abuse had occurred and dismissed him as a disciplinary measure in July.

After receiving a report from the facility, Bungotono City visited the facility and conducted additional interviews with staff to verify the facts. The city determined that both individuals had been subjected to physical abuse. The facility apologized to the victims’ families and submitted measures to the city to prevent a recurrence, including installing security cameras inside the building.

The male facility director told the Mainichi Shimbun: “Our awareness of our professional responsibilities had weakened. We deeply regret that we have lost, all at once, the trust we had built up over the years.”

The Bungotono City Social Welfare Division said, “We will continue to monitor the progress of improvements to ensure that a similar incident does not occur again.” The city also said it would consult with the prefecture regarding possible administrative action.