Osaka group home suspended for three months over abuse of disabled residents

By Barrier Free Japan, extract from ABC

October 14 2026

Kaizuka City, Osaka Prefecture – ABC reported on October 13 that the city of Kaizuka, Osaka Prefecture, has announced that it will impose administrative sanctions on a group home for people with disabilities following reports of abuse against residents.

The facility, Megumi Home, is operated by the nonprofit organization Yume ga Megumi. The administrative sanction involves the suspension of all designated service-provider status for three months.

According to the city of Kaizuka, an investigation found that two employees had abused three residents between January and February, including by striking them on the head.

The abuse came to light after a report in January this year that an employee had poured hot miso soup into a resident’s mouth, causing burns. The city investigated the incident and confirmed that abuse had occurred.

Megumi Home commented: “We feel deeply sorry, including to the residents’ families. We sincerely regret what has happened and hope to start again after reflecting fully on our actions.”