Category: Care

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 13, 2026 Number of comments0
Care Disability Elderly Health Japan Welfare

Japan Government White Paper finds over 70% concerned about future healthcare, welfare staff shortages

The report focused greatly on expected labour shortages which are thought will become even more severe by 2040, the role that technology will play in the care sector in the future with a strong emphasis on boosting productivity through the adoption of technology, such as artificial intelligence. The report also notes that survey results showed that more than 70% of the public are concerned about future staff shortages in healthcare.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 6, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Crime Abuse Care

Employee at Chiba disability facility arrested on suspicion of assault after striking resident

The suspect is accused of striking a 52-year-old male resident near the face with a sandal around 4:30 p.m. on September 23 at “Sodegaura Hikari no Gakuen”, the facility in Shimoshinden, Sodegaura City where he works as a care worker, and grabbing his upper body and tripping him so he fell backward around 7:50 p.m.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 4, 2026 Number of comments0
Abuse Care Disability Japan

Tsu District Court Orders Compensation After Name of Disability Facility Whistleblower Leaked

According to the ruling and other sources, the man reported to Taiki Town where a resident at the facility lives; in February 2024 that he had witnessed fellow care workers verbally abusing residents and striking them on the back. When a town official contacted the facility, they disclosed that the man was the whistleblower.  

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 22, 2026 Number of comments0
Care Dementia Disability Independent Living Intellectual disabilities Japan Welfare

Waiting List for Independent Living Support in Japan Reaches 1.4 Times Previous Year’s Level

was learned on September 19 that the number of people waiting to use the “Daily Living Independence Support Program,” provided by social welfare councils across Japan for people with dementia, intellectual disabilities and other conditions, totaled 3,931 in fiscal 2025. This was about 1.4 times the 2,868 recorded in fiscal 2024. The main reason for the sharp increase is a shortage of social welfare council staff in the face of growing demand for the service. The government plans to expand the program to elderly people who have no relatives they can rely on, making it an urgent priority to strengthen the system.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 19, 2026 Number of comments0
Care Disability Elderly Japan Nursing Care

Japan Mulls Higher Nursing Care Premiums for High-Income Elderly

Japan’s welfare ministry on Friday began considering a plan to raise nursing care insurance premiums for high-income earners aged 65 or older from fiscal 2027. Under the latest proposal, the ministry plans to raise the highest rate, applied to people with annual incomes of 7.2 million yen or more. It also plans to divide lower-income brackets into smaller categories to curb sharp increases in premiums when people move into a higher rate bracket.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 16, 2026 Number of comments0
Abuse Care Hokkaido Japan Podcast

Ex-care worker gets suspended sentence for assaulting residents at Hokkaido facility [Podcast Episode]

A former 31-year-old employee of a disability support facility in Kushiro, Hokkaido, was sentenced to one year and two months in prison, suspended for three years, after being convicted of assaulting residents at the facility. The court said Abe’s actions were “vile and malicious” and had undermined trust in care workers, but noted that he had expressed an intention to apologize and was showing remorse.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 15, 2026 1
Abuse Care Disability Japan Sagamihara

Staff member at ‘Sagamihara Stabbings’ facility slaps intellectually disabled resident

According to the prefecture, the abuse occurred on the afternoon of Aug. 21. The resident had accidentally soiled himself and taken a temporary shower before completing his regular bath. He subsequently returned to the changing room twice more and attempted to remove his clothes. The staff member slapped him while trying to stop him.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 14, 2026 1
Abuse Care Crime Disability Japan

Ex-care worker gets suspended sentence for assaulting residents at Hokkaido facility

A former 31-year-old employee of a disability support facility in Kushiro, Hokkaido, was sentenced to one year and two months in prison, suspended for three years, after being convicted of assaulting residents at the facility. The court said Abe’s actions were “vile and malicious” and had undermined trust in care workers, but noted that he had expressed an intention to apologize and was showing remorse.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 10, 2026 Number of comments0
Care Disability Elderly Japan Nursing Care Welfare

Japan Mulls Easing Nursing-Care Premiums for Missing Elderly People

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has, for the first time, indicated that nursing-care insurance premiums can be fully exempted when elderly people, including those with dementia, go missing and their families continue to be responsible for paying the premiums. The ministry has notified local governments across Japan of this policy.