Category: Welfare

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 17, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Welfare

Japan to Cut Disability Service Provider Fees, Tokyo Raises Concerns

Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has decided to make an extraordinary revision to disability welfare service fees in June 2026, cutting basic fees for newly established providers of four services, including Continuous Employment Support (Type B), for fiscal 2026 only, while leaving fees for existing providers unchanged. The ministry says the move is intended to curb rising disability welfare expenditures, but concerns have been raised that it could discourage new entrants and worsen service shortages, particularly in underserved areas. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has opposed the plan, formally requesting that the health ministry and the Children and Families Agency reconsider the nationwide reduction, warning that changing fee policy during its 2024–2026 service development plan could disrupt service provision and limit access for people with disabilities.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 12, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Employment Japan Welfare

Procurement From Japan’s Disability Employment Facilities Hit Record High in FY2024

Japan’s public-sector procurement of goods and services from facilities employing people with disabilities reached a record high in fiscal 2024, the Health, Labour and Welfare Ministry said, reflecting growing use of the priority procurement system aimed at promoting the economic independence of people with disabilities.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 9, 2026 Number of comments0
Care Disability Japan Podcast Welfare

Medical Foundation Ends Disability Support Services in Miura City after Mayor’s Social Media Remarks [Podcast Episode]

It was learned on January 6th that the medical corporation foundation “Aoyama-kai” has decided to end two disability consultation support services under contract with the city at the end of March and has notified the city. The relationship of trust with the city was damaged by Mayor Kaichi Deguchi’s social media posts during last year’s mayoral election and the subsequent response, and the foundation has decided that continuing the services any longer is difficult.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 8, 2026 1
Care Disability Japan Medical Social Media Welfare

Medical Foundation Ends Disability Support Services in Miura City after Mayor’s Social Media Remarks

It was learned on the 6th that the medical corporation foundation “Aoyama-kai” has decided to end two disability consultation support services under contract with the city at the end of March and has notified the city. The relationship of trust with the city was damaged by Mayor Kaichi Deguchi’s social media posts during last year’s mayoral election and the subsequent response, and the foundation has decided that continuing the services any longer is difficult. The city is considering countermeasures for April and beyond to avoid impacting users.

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

Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare begins investigation after disability pension assessments discarded

In connection with the national disability pension system, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced on the 6th that it has started a fact-finding investigation, including checking remaining records, following revelations that the Japan Pension Service had discarded some physicians’ assessment results used to determine eligibility for benefit payments.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 31, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Podcast Welfare

Japan Pension Service Officials Discarded Doctors’ Disability Assessments [Podcast Episode]

It was revealed on December 28th through interviews with stakeholders that the Japan Pension Service, which handles the administration of national disability pensions, has been secretly discarding evaluation records and requesting new rulings from different doctors whenever staff members deemed the original doctor’s decision on benefit eligibility to be “problematic.” The Pension Service admitted to this practice during interviews, stating they are “currently investigating the facts, including the number of cases involved.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 29, 2025 1
Disability Japan Welfare

Japan Pension Service Officials Discarded Doctors’ Disability Assessments

It was revealed on the 28th through interviews with stakeholders that the Japan Pension Service, which handles the administration of national disability pensions, has been secretly discarding evaluation records and requesting new rulings from different doctors whenever staff members deemed the original doctor’s decision on benefit eligibility to be “problematic.” The Pension Service admitted to this practice during interviews, stating they are “currently investigating the facts, including the number of cases involved.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 25, 2025 1
Disability Japan Welfare

Japan’s Welfare Ministry to Reduce Disability Reimbursement for 4 Services, Including Type B, Limited to New Facilities

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) has decided on a policy to make an extraordinary revision to disability service fees in June 2026, under which the basic remuneration for newly established providers of four services, including Continuous Employment Support (Type B), will be reduced for fiscal year 2026 only. Existing providers will continue to receive the current basic remuneration.