Category: Independent Living

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 16, 2025 1
Disability Discrimination Housing Independent Living Intellectual disabilities Japan

Osaka Woman With Intellectual Disability Refused UR Housing, Raising Rights Questions

A 60-year-old woman with an intellectual disability in Hirakata, Osaka Prefecture, was denied a UR rental apartment despite having spent more than a year preparing to live independently with support from a local nonprofit, prompting concerns that the agency’s requirement for a co-resident family member constitutes discriminatory treatment. The woman had practiced living alone in an NPO-rented unit, staying several nights a week and managing household tasks with periodic help from care workers. As The Mainichi Shimbun reported on November 15, disability-rights advocates argue that imposing conditions not required of non-disabled applicants contradicts national policy encouraging people with disabilities to move from institutions into community-based housing.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 21, 2025 1
Assisted Living Disability Independent Living Japan

Izumisano Welfare Association in Osaka Runs Program for People with Disabilities and Their Parents to Learn “Jiritsu” (Independence)

The Izumisano Welfare Association, a social welfare corporation operating 28 disability welfare facilities in Osaka Prefecture (chaired by Hirofumi Muroi), has created a program titled “Parent-Child Mirai Work: A Guide to Everyone’s Path to Jiritsu (Independence) from a Lifewide Learning Perspective”, which helps both young people with disabilities and their parents learn about “jiritsu” (independence). The word “jiritsu” is written in hiragana to avoid making the concept seem overly complicated. The program summarizes the results of a two-year project supported by the Nippon Foundation.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 29, 2025 Number of comments0
Care Disability Group Homes (GH) Independent Living Japan

Japan Government Forms National Review Committee to Discuss Functions and Roles of Residential Facilities for People with Severe Intellectual Disabilities

While efforts are being made to allow people with disabilities to live in the areas of their choice, a national review committee has begun, consisting of experts and people with disabilities, to discuss the functions and roles of large-scale “residential facilities” where people with severe intellectual disabilities live. Regarding housing for people with disabilities, there has been a shift from residential facilities where dozens of people live together to “group homes” using ordinary houses, and the number of people entering facilities has decreased by more than 6,500 in five years. The study group is scheduled to compile a report by the end of the fiscal year on the future vision for residential facilities.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 10, 2022 Number of comments0
Disability Independent Living Japan

Japan revises law to support people with disabilities to live and work alone, critics concerned about “increasing unnecessary hospitalizations”

The law changes the consent system for “medical protection hospitalization”, a form of forced hospitalization, for persons with mental disabilities. It has been criticized as increasing unnecessary hospitalizations. The majority of what the law stipulates will come into effect in April 2024.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 17, 2022 1
Assisted Living Disability Independent Living Japan

People with disabilities in Japan to be ‘de-institutionalised’ as support for living in the community amended bill finalized

Compared to other countries, Japan has more people with disabilities living in institutions and hospitals, which is regarded as a challenge. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare intends to amend the Comprehensive Support for Persons with Disabilities Act and the Mental Health Welfare Act to promote the transition to community life and put in place a system.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 13, 2021 Number of comments0
Disability Independent Living Japan

Japan’s Health, Labour and Welfare Ministry to ‘relax’ staff standards to increase number of independent living services

On October 1, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare announced at the Social Security Council’s Disability Subcommittee (chaired by Kaoru Kikuchi, Professor of Waseda University) that it would relax the staffing standards for “independent living support” for disability welfare services. It is necessary to assign a service manager to receive the designation of the business establishment of this service, but it is judged that this would be a barrier and entry will not proceed. By relaxing this standard, the number of business establishments and users would be increased.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 15, 2021 Number of comments0
Disability Independent Living Intellectual disabilities Japan

Group home for intellectually disabled in Amami City destroyed by fire

A fire broke out in Amami City, Kagoshima Prefecture on the night of the 14th, and one group home was completely destroyed. At the time of the fire, there were six men with intellectual disabilities in their 50s and 60s who moved into the facility, but all of them escaped safely under the guidance of the facility staff.