Welfare – Page 2 – Barrier Free Japan

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 5, 2026 0

More than 20,000 People with Disabilities in Japan Waiting for Care Facilities Across 30 Prefectures, Kumamoto quake updates [Podcast Episode]

At least 20,000 people with disabilities across 30 prefectures are waiting to enter residential care facilities or group homes (GHs) despite wishing to use them, a nationwide survey by Kyodo News found on Aug. 2. Seventeen prefectures said they either did not track waiting lists or did not disclose the figures, citing reasons such as the lack of a standardized method for compiling the data.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 4, 2026 1

Care Disability Group Homes (GH) Japan Welfare

More than 20,000 People with Disabilities in Japan Waiting for Care Facilities Across 30 Prefectures; Government Lacks Comprehensive Data

At least 20,000 people with disabilities across 30 prefectures are waiting to enter residential care facilities or group homes (GHs) despite wishing to use them, a nationwide survey by Kyodo News found on Aug. 2. Seventeen prefectures said they either did not track waiting lists or did not disclose the figures, citing reasons such as the lack of a standardized method for compiling the data.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 24, 2026 0

Disability Group Homes (GH) Japan Welfare

Japan’s Welfare Ministry Introduces Guidelines to Limit Group Homes from April 2027

The Japanese government has confirmed that, from April 2027, group homes for people with disabilities will become subject to service volume controls, allowing local governments to limit the establishment of new group homes in areas deemed to have sufficient capacity. While intended to prevent an oversupply of services, the new guidelines stress that exceptions should be made for group homes serving people with intensive behavioural support needs or requiring medical care, acknowledging concerns that people with severe disabilities can still struggle to find suitable accommodation even where the overall number of group homes appears adequate. The guidelines also encourage transparent public recruitment of providers when restrictions are lifted and explain how municipalities can provide input on prefectural decisions to approve new disability service providers.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 11, 2026 0

Disability Employment Japan Welfare

Kanazawa Employment Support Agency for People with Disabilities Files for Bankruptcy after Fraudulently Receiving 30.41 Million Yen

Last December, the company had its designation revoked by Kanazawa City for fraudulently receiving 30.41 million yen in benefit payments intended for employment support for people with disabilities. The city had demanded a payment of 42.58 million yen, which included additional penalties, but it was not paid by the January 5th deadline of this year and the city is currently considering filing criminal charges.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 5, 2026 0

Disability Japan Welfare

Japan’s municipal oversight of disability service providers falls short, with only just over 10% meeting inspection targets in FY2024; fraudulent claims exceed ¥3.2 billion

The rate at which local governments conduct operational inspections (unei shidō) of disability welfare service providers to ensure they are being properly run remains low. Among the municipalities responsible for overseeing such providers, only just over 10% met the national target in fiscal 2024 for the proportion of facilities inspected. Some municipalities conducted no inspections at all, raising concerns that improper practices may be going undetected.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 3, 2026 0

Disability Employment Japan Podcast Welfare

Japan’s Health Ministry Produces Manual to Strengthen Guidance and Oversight of Disability Welfare Following Fraud Cases [Podcast Episode]

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has compiled manuals on group guidance, operational inspections, and audits conducted by prefectural governments and other authorities for disability welfare service providers, and distributed them to local governments on the 8th. Until now, the ministry had only outlined its approach through training sessions. The new manuals are intended to strengthen guidance and audits, primarily in response to a growing number of disciplinary cases involving fraudulent practices as the number of facilities operated by for-profit corporations continues to rise.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 2, 2026 0

Disability Employment Japan Welfare

Less than half of Japan’s firms meet disability employment quota as statutory rate rises to 2.7%

The statutory employment quota (hōtei koyōritsu) requiring companies to employ a minimum proportion of people with disabilities will be raised from 2.5% to 2.7% on July 1. The aim is to further promote employment of people with disabilities. However, fewer than half of companies currently meet even the existing quota, highlighting ongoing challenges in creating suitable workplace environments.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 1, 2026 1

Disability Japan Welfare

Japan’s Health Ministry Produces Manual, Strengthens Guidance and Oversight of Disability Welfare Providers Following Fraud Cases

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has compiled manuals on group guidance, operational inspections, and audits conducted by prefectural governments and other authorities for disability welfare service providers, and distributed them to local governments on the 8th. Until now, the ministry had only outlined its approach through training sessions. The new manuals are intended to strengthen guidance and audits, primarily in response to a growing number of disciplinary cases involving fraudulent practices as the number of facilities operated by for-profit corporations continues to rise.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 1, 2026 0

Crime developmental disabilities Disability Japan Podcast Welfare

Woman arrested for 19 million Yen fraud targeting parent of child with suspected developmental disorder [Podcast Episode]

A 57-year-old company employee has been arrested on suspicion of defrauding the parents of a child suspected of having a developmental disorder out of approximately ¥19 million (about US$130,000) by recommending the child study abroad. Police believe the suspect may have used the same scheme to defraud multiple victims of more than ¥50 million in total and are continuing their investigation.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 30, 2026 1

Disability Employment Japan Welfare

Japan expands disability employment support amid impartiality concerns

A new welfare service designed to help disabled people find jobs suited to their abilities is spreading across Japan, but concerns remain that providers may steer users toward affiliated workplaces rather than make impartial recommendations. While supporters say the program can help people find more suitable career paths, critics warn that operators involved in assessing users may have a financial incentive to direct them to their own facilities.