Category: Disability

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 8, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Employment Japan Podcast Welfare

Japan’s Labour Ministry Suspects Abuse of Remote Work Systems for People with Disabilities as Use Triples [Podcast Episode]

According to Health, Labour, and Welfare Ministry data released on the 4th, the number of vocational training centres for the disabled where “more than half of users work from home” has surged 3.2 times over the four-year period ending in 2025. Because remote support reduces overhead costs, such as personnel expenses for on-site staff, the Ministry suspects that some profit-driven operators are abusing the system. Consequently, the Ministry issued a notice to local governments nationwide this April, calling for stricter oversight.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 7, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Employment Japan Welfare

Japan’s Welfare Ministry Begins Discussions on 2027 Disability Compensation Revision; Focus on Addressing Rising Costs

Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s “Review Team on Revisions to Remuneration for Disability Welfare Services” met on April 28, marking the start of discussions toward the fiscal 2027 revision. In opening remarks, Masayuki Kamiya, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare and head of the team, stated: “While the budget for disability welfare services has increased more than fourfold since the enforcement of the Services and Supports for Persons with Disabilities Act, there are cases of service providers calculating add-on payments that do not align with the intent of the system, raising concerns about a decline in service quality. We aim to advance disability welfare policies steadily through discussions that incorporate the expertise of the team’s advisors and opinions from the field.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 6, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Welfare Employment Podcast

Osaka City files criminal complaint against Kizuna Holdings over 15 billion Yen in fraudulent disability employment support funds [Podcast Episode]

The city of Osaka has filed a criminal complaint against the operating company of Kizuna Holdings (HD), which had been subject to administrative sanctions for fraudulently receiving approximately 15 billion Yen in disability employment support benefits. As of May 1st 2026, Osaka city has also revoked the designation of the company’s facilities.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 5, 2026 1
Disability Employment Japan Welfare

Japan Labour Ministry Suspects Abuse of Remote Work Systems for People with Disabilities as Use Triples

According to Health, Labour, and Welfare Ministry data released on the 4th, the number of vocational training centers for the disabled where “more than half of users work from home” has surged 3.2 times over the four-year period ending in 2025. Because remote support reduces overhead costs, such as personnel expenses for on-site staff, the Ministry suspects that some profit-driven operators are abusing the system. Consequently, the Ministry issued a notice to local governments nationwide this April, calling for stricter oversight.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 4, 2026 Number of comments0
Coronavirus COVID-19 Disability Elderly Golden Week Japan

Elderly People in Japan Still Cautioned against COVID during Golden Week

While COVID-19 infections have decreased significantly since Japan downgraded the disease to the same category as seasonal influenza almost three years ago, elderly people and others are still cautioned against the risk of contracting the virus during the country’s ongoing Gold Week holiday period. The Japan Institute for Health Security continues to monitor COVID-19 cases at about 3,000 medical institutions nationwide. In the week through April 19, the number of cases per institution was 0.68, less than half of 1.77 a year earlier. The figure was 3.64 two years before, when the survey covered about 5,000 medical institutions.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 3, 2026 Number of comments0
Crime Disability Employment Japan Welfare

Osaka city files criminal complaint against Kizuna Holdings over ¥15 billion in fraudulent disability employment support funds

The city of Osaka has filed a criminal complaint against the operating company of Kizuna Holdings (HD), which had been subject to administrative sanctions for fraudulently receiving approximately ¥15 billion in disability employment support benefits. As of the 1st, the city has also revoked the designation of the company’s facilities. Kizuna Holdings has filed a lawsuit against the city and plans to contest the matter in court.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 1, 2026 Number of comments0
10 Golden Week Blind Disability Japan Travel

Some Notes on Blindness in Japan During Golden Week [Podcast Episode]

Two recent developments in Japan have highlighted ongoing safety challenges faced by people with visual impairments in public spaces. At the Imabari branch of the Matsuyama District Court, a visually impaired woman has filed a lawsuit seeking about 1.7 million yen in damages from a dog owner, alleging she was injured after an unleashed dog approached her guide dog, causing her to fall; she warned that such incidents on public roads can be life-threatening and called for greater awareness of the dangers of interfering with guide dogs doing their work. Separately, East Japan Railway Co. opened a platform-based training session at Shinagawa Station in Tokyo to the media, where visually impaired participants practiced navigation with mobility instructors using actual train cars, underscoring efforts by transport operators to improve safety and prevent accidents.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt April 30, 2026 2
Disability Employment Japan Welfare

Kizuna Holdings Files Lawsuit Against Osaka City as Repayment Deadline for 11 Billion Yen in Repayment of Disability Employment Subsidies Passes

In the ongoing issue involving the fraudulent receipt of disability employment support bonuses by four “Type A” continuous employment support offices under the umbrella of the Osaka-based welfare company Kizuna Holdings (HD), it has been learned through interviews with both the company and the city that Kizuna HD has filed a lawsuit in the Osaka District Court. The suit seeks to rescind the city’s order to return approximately 11 billion yen.