Teacher shortages at special needs schools in Japan nearly triple in four years

By Barrier Free Japan

November 1 2026

TOKYO – Teacher shortages at special needs schools in Japan have nearly tripled in four years, driven by a growing number of children with developmental disabilities, a government survey showed.

The Yomiuri Shimbun reported on October 31 that 589 teaching positions remained unfilled at special needs schools nationwide as of May last year, with the shortage rate reaching 0.71% of authorized staffing levels.

According to a survey released by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, 82,320 teachers were assigned to special needs schools nationwide at the time.

The shortage rate stood at 0.26% five years earlier, when 205 teachers were missing from an authorized staffing level of 78,632, representing an increase of nearly threefold.

Although teacher shortages have also affected elementary, junior high and high schools, the rate at special needs schools is considerably higher, the survey showed.

The growing number of children diagnosed with developmental disabilities is believed to be a factor behind the shortages. An estimated 340,000 people under the age of 18 had been diagnosed with developmental disabilities in 2022, a 2.5-fold increase from 2011, according to a survey by the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry.

The staffing shortages have raised concerns over the ability of schools to provide adequate supervision and support for children with disabilities.