Panel Cites Flaws in Oversight System Over Abuse and Death of Disabled Person at Kochi Facility

By Barrier Free Japan & Kyodo via Livedoor

November 4 2026

KOCHI – Regarding an abuse incident in January at “Residence Wakafuji,” a facility for supporting people with disabilities in Shimanto City, Kochi Prefecture, where a resident was left unattended and subsequently died after being made to eat while naked in a shower room, the operating social welfare corporation submitted a third-party verification committee report to the prefecture on November 4. The report pointed out that the facility was being operated without clearly assigning staff in charge of supervision and support.

“We deeply apologize for failing to protect a precious life,” the corporation commented. On the same date, the corporation took disciplinary actions against four involved staff members, including summary dismissals.

According to the report, the following acts of abuse were recognized:

1. Covering the resident’s body with a sheet and moving them to the shower room inside a laundry basket.

2. Making the resident eat while naked in the shower room.

3. Leaving the resident unattended for approximately 1.5 hours afterward without supervision.