Waiting List for Independent Living Support in Japan Reaches 1.4 Times Previous Year’s Level

From Kyodo via 47 News

September 19 2026

TOKYO – It was learned on September 19 that the number of people waiting to use the “Daily Living Independence Support Program,” provided by social welfare councils across Japan for people with dementia, intellectual disabilities and other conditions, totaled 3,931 in fiscal 2025. This was about 1.4 times the 2,868 recorded in fiscal 2024. The main reason for the sharp increase is a shortage of social welfare council staff in the face of growing demand for the service. The government plans to expand the program to elderly people who have no relatives they can rely on, making it an urgent priority to strengthen the system.

The program provides assistance with procedures such as entering into contracts for welfare services and making payments, as well as everyday money management. The social welfare councils of Japan’s prefectures and designated major cities are responsible for implementing the program, with many municipal social welfare councils carrying out the work on their behalf. If people have to wait for extended periods, they may experience difficulties in their daily lives or become victims of consumer fraud.

The number of people waiting was compiled by the National Council of Social Welfare at the end of fiscal 2025. The figures include people who, due to circumstances on the part of the social welfare councils such as staff shortages, had not had an interview more than one month after submitting an application for the service, as well as those who had completed an interview but had not entered into a support agreement more than two months later.