Japan PM Takaichi vows to review disability welfare fees based on service quality

By Barrier Free Japan

October 29 2026

TOKYO – Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Wednesday 14th October that the government would review fees for disability welfare services to ensure that providers offering high-quality support receive adequate resources, while addressing rising prices and wages.

Speaking at a House of Representatives Budget Committee meeting in response to a question from Satoshi Umemura, policy chief of the Japan Innovation Party, Takaichi said revisions to the fee system for fiscal 2027 were essential to appropriately evaluate service quality and establish a structure that rewards good performance.

“It is essential to review the system to ensure that resources are properly directed toward providers delivering high-quality support, rather than providers that are not providing the necessary assistance”, Takaichi said.

She also pledged to reflect rising prices and wages appropriately in service fees and improve the treatment of disability welfare workers so that their compensation is comparable to that of workers in other occupations.

Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Kenichiro Ueno said expenditure on disability welfare services had increased substantially, raising concerns about a possible decline in service quality.

As an example, Ueno cited inappropriate home-based support provided through employment-related welfare services, where operators have been accused of failing to provide substantive assistance.

He said the government would analyze the increase in expenditure and consider necessary revisions to ensure the sustainability of the system while maintaining and improving service quality.

Umemura called for strict action against unscrupulous operators providing inappropriate services, while urging the government to adequately recognize providers delivering high-quality support.

The fee revision for fiscal 2027 comes amid rising operating costs and persistent staffing shortages in the disability welfare sector.