Category: Welfare

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 23, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Welfare

Chiba ‘salon’ to provide support for people with disabilities and their families

Tae Owada (55) of Tateyama City, whose daughter has both intellectual and physical disabilities, is preparing to open a community “salon” where people with disabilities, their families, and other caregivers can gather, talk, and support one another. The space will be located in a former day-service building near Tajima Shrine and Tateyama Station, and is planned to offer weekday support for parents, after-school activities with children, and occasional weekend workshops. Owada hopes the salon will also welcome caregivers of the elderly, school-refusing children, and immigrant families. Her goal is to create a place of solidarity and mutual empowerment, and she is calling on the community for help in making it a reality.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 22, 2025 Number of comments0
Children Disability Japan Welfare

Japan to Provide Child-Rearing Support Allowance of 20,000 Yen per Child

The Japanese government will provide all households with children aged zero to 18 with a support allowance of 20,000 yen per child as a one-time measure, the Children and Families Agency said Friday. Also, to support low-income households raising children, including single-parent families, the government will expand the menu of an existing priority support local grant program so that municipalities can utilize it to provide cash benefits in addition to the new support allowance.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 10, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Employment Japan Podcast Welfare

Osaka Firm Suspected of Tens of Billions in Improper Disability Work Subsidies [Podcast Episode]

A welfare-related company based in Osaka City is suspected of having improperly received tens of billions of yen in disability employment support subsidies (payments) since fiscal 2024, city officials revealed on November 5. The company allegedly exploited a system that increases subsidy amounts based on the number of disabled workers who find employment in regular companies. Osaka City has launched an audit under the Comprehensive Support for Persons with Disabilities Act and is considering demanding repayment.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 7, 2025 Number of comments0
Crime Disability Japan Welfare

Osaka Firm Suspected of Tens of Billions in Improper Disability Work Subsidies

A welfare-related company based in Osaka City is suspected of having improperly received tens of billions of yen in disability employment support subsidies (payments) since fiscal 2024, city officials revealed on November 5. The company allegedly exploited a system that increases subsidy amounts based on the number of disabled workers who find employment in regular companies. Osaka City has launched an audit under the Comprehensive Support for Persons with Disabilities Act and is considering demanding repayment.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 3, 2025 Number of comments0
2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake Disability Earthquake Employment Japan Welfare

Hardship Continues for Ishikawa’s Workers with Disabilities as Earthquake Damage to Companies Hits Facilities

Since the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake, work opportunities for people with disabilities in Ishikawa Prefecture’s Noto region have sharply declined as local companies that once purchased goods or outsourced simple tasks to employment support facilities were damaged by the disaster. Facilities such as Minorien in Nanao, known for its handmade additive-free natto, have been struggling to sustain operations but are now seeking new forms of work, including grass-cutting and leaflet delivery, to help disabled workers stay engaged, regain income, and maintain their connection to the community.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 2, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Employment Japan Osaka Welfare

Osaka Launches Probe into Disability Work Centers Over Improper Training

Osaka Prefecture has launched an investigation into roughly 2,050 “Type B continuous employment support” facilities that help people with disabilities engage in work-like activities, following reports that some providers offering at-home programs may not be giving appropriate training. Funded by government subsidies, these facilities are required to provide meaningful vocational support, but several cases have emerged where users were assigned minimal tasks—such as watering plants a few times a day—raising concerns about misuse of public funds and inadequate care. The prefecture plans to review each case and issue guidance or corrective action where necessary.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 12, 2025 Number of comments0
Japan Medical Welfare

Japan’s Medical Expenses Hit Record 48 T. Yen in Fiscal Year 2023

Japan’s national medical expenses hit a record 48.09 trillion yen in fiscal 2023, rising 3.0 percent from the previous year, the health ministry said Friday. Per capita spending also reached an all-time high of 386,700 yen, driven by an increase in influenza cases, an aging population, and the growing use of advanced medical technologies. Elderly people aged 65 or older accounted for nearly 60 percent of total costs, with per capita expenses at 797,200 yen—more than three times that of those under 65. Funding came primarily from government sources, public insurance premiums, and out-of-pocket payments by patients.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 3, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Podcast Welfare

Kagoshima City Ordered to Repay 35 Million Yen, Disability Welfare Designations Revoked [Podcast Episode]

On September 26th, Kagoshima City took administrative action to revoke the disability welfare service designation of the “Employment Support Center Shichifukujin” (Takashi 2-chome), a Type B Continuing Employment Support Facility operated by the Social Welfare Corporation Tenyukai (Director: Yurika Nagata) in Murasakihara 5-chome, for fraudulently claiming training and other benefits. The city also ordered the repayment of 25,176,250 yen fraudulently claimed and received, plus additional payments totaling 35,240,631 yen. The revocation of the designation will take effect on September 30th.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 28, 2025 1
Care Disability Japan Welfare

Kagoshima City Ordered to Repay 35 Million Yen, Disability Welfare Designation Revoked

On September 26th, Kagoshima City took administrative action to revoke the disability welfare service designation of the “Employment Support Center Shichifukujin” (Takashi 2-chome), a Type B Continuing Employment Support Facility operated by the Social Welfare Corporation Tenyukai (Director: Yurika Nagata) in Murasakihara 5-chome, for fraudulently claiming training and other benefits. The city also ordered the repayment of 25,176,250 yen fraudulently claimed and received, plus additional payments totaling 35,240,631 yen. The revocation of the designation will take effect on the 30th.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 24, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Podcast Welfare

124 Previously Denied Disability Pension Claims Approved, Japan’s Health Ministry to Continue Review and Publish Monthly Updates [Podcast Episode]

In response to the higher rate of disability pension denials last fiscal year compared to the year before, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare conducted a detailed review of over 2,800 claims that had been denied between April and July last year. As a result, 124 of these cases were re-evaluated and will now be approved for payment. The ministry has announced it will continue to investigate recognition decisions and publish monthly updates on the progress.