Nearly Half of Workers With Developmental Disabilities in Japan Keep Diagnosis Hidden

By Barrier Free Japan

October 21 2026

TOKYO – Nearly half of workers with developmental disabilities in Japan do not disclose their diagnosis to supervisors or human resources departments, with fear of discrimination and prejudice cited as the leading reason, a survey has found.

Among respondents who received a diagnosis while employed, 37.6% said they had not told anyone, while 8.7% had informed colleagues but not their supervisors, bringing the total who withheld the information from management to 46.3%.

Fear of discrimination and prejudice was the most frequently cited reason for non-disclosure, selected by 52 respondents in a multiple-answer survey of 80 people. A further 43 said they did not expect their employer to provide support, while 38 expressed concern about the impact disclosure could have on their careers.

The findings highlight the difficulties faced by workers with developmental disabilities in seeking workplace understanding and support amid concerns that revealing their diagnosis could have adverse consequences.

As the Yomiuri Shimbun reported on October 20, the figures point to persistent concerns about discrimination and career prospects among people with developmental disabilities in the workplace.