Category: Welfare

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 19, 2025 1
Disability Japan Welfare

Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare Informs Local Governments of Prohibition on ‘Paid Referrals’ of Disability Welfare Services

By March 17th, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare had thoroughly informed local governments that it is prohibited for disability welfare service facilities and businesses to pay money or goods to referral companies in return for introducing users to them, as this is a violation of the operating standards. It was originally prohibited to pay referral fees to consultation support specialists who create service usage plans and other disability welfare businesses, but the treatment of the general public and referral companies was unclear, so this was clarified.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 3, 2025 Number of comments0
Health Japan Medical Welfare

Japan PM Ishiba Says Government to Reconsider Medical Expense Cap Hike Plan

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Friday that his government will reconsider its plan to raise the ceiling on out-of-pocket expenses for high-cost medical care. The government will conduct the first phase of the expense cap hike this August as planned, and make a decision by this autumn on further increases, currently scheduled for August 2026 and later. Ishiba made the announcement in response to a question from Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, at a meeting of the Budget Committee in the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of parliament.

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

(Update) Yamagata Employment Support Offices for Disabled Closures Confirmed, Seven Offices to Close in March 2026, 217 Layoffs [Podcast Episode] 

A report by All Nippon News Network (ANN) broadcast on February 28th confirmed that the seven employment support offices of the company ‘Union Social System’ that has its headquarters in Shinjo City, Yamagata prefecture, will close in March 2026; leading to 217 employees losing their jobs, a result of the so-called “1.06 million yen barrier.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 25, 2025 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Japan Welfare

Tokyo Company Suspected of Violating Laws and Regulations, Introducing Users of Disabled Welfare Services for a Fee

The business is to introduce users to welfare service offices for a fee, but the operating standards based on the Comprehensive Support for Persons with Disabilities Act prohibits the offices from giving money or goods in exchange for the introduction of users. This is because welfare for the disabled is largely financed by public funds, and taxpayers’ money is used for other purposes. The Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare (MHLW) has stated that “there is no law or regulation that regulates the referral business itself, but the business office that pays the money or goods is in violation of the standards,” and that it will “consider how to deal with the situation.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 15, 2025 2
Disability Employment Japan Welfare

Disability welfare service company to close seven offices in Yamagata prefecture

It has been revealed that a disability welfare service company with its headquarters in Shinjo City has indicated its intention to close its seven Type A continuous employment support offices in the prefecture at the end of March next year. According to the company, it plans to close seven Type A continuous employment support offices, where disabled people work under employment contracts, in Shinjo City, Murayama City, and other locations at the end of March next year, and lay off over 200 employees.

The company explained the reason for closing the facilities as follows: “The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has indicated its intention to abolish the annual income requirement for social insurance premiums. If this is abolished, we estimate that our annual burden will increase by approximately 68 million yen. It will be difficult to generate profits that correspond to this.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 4, 2025 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Discrimination Employment Japan Welfare

Number of disabled people employed in Japan reaches record high, bias in work, criticism of “number-filling”

In the 2024 employment status of disabled people announced by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (as of June 1), the number of disabled people working in private companies has reached 677,461 (35,283 more than the previous year), the highest number ever for the 21st consecutive year. The actual employment rate also rose 0.08 points from the previous year to 2.41%, reaching a record high for the 13th consecutive year. However, only 46.0% of companies achieved the statutory employment rate (2.5%), a decrease of 4.1 points from the previous year.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 2, 2025 Number of comments0
developmental disabilities Disability Japan Welfare

Japanese Government to establish consultation system for developmental disorders, supporting children, families, and local communities

The government has decided to strengthen support for children and families who may have developmental disorders from fiscal 2025, officials announced on the 1st Local childcare, health, and welfare officials will work together with medical institutions. The aim is to establish a system where families can receive “developmental consultations” regarding their children’s characteristics and concerns, such as delayed speech and restlessness, at an early stage, leading to smooth support. In the support framework, developmental consultations will be conducted in places close to children and families, such as health centers that conduct infant health checkups and childcare support centers. Psychologists dispatched from medical institutions commissioned by local governments will provide consultations. An assessment of the child’s characteristics will be conducted and an explanation will be given as to whether a specialist examination is necessary in the future.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 11, 2025 Number of comments0
Care Disability Intellectual disabilities Japan Welfare

Parents of children with disabilities in Japan face “18-year-old wall”, forced to quit jobs to care for children

The Association of Parents Who Work While Raising Children with Disabilities and Children with Medical Care held a press conference at the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare on December 17, 2024. When children turn 18 and graduate from special-needs schools, they can no longer receive after-school day care services, which are available until around 6 pm. The majority of these services end around 3:00 p.m., forcing parents to leave their jobs to watch over and care for their children. Some parents refer to this the “18-year-old barrier”.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 15, 2024 1
Care Crime Disability Japan Welfare

Fukui Prefecture Takes “administrative action” Over Fraudulent Claims of 7.95 Million Yen in Welfare Service Benefits for People with Disabilities

On December 13, Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture, took administrative action under the Comprehensive Support for Persons with Disabilities Act to revoke the designation of ‘MIRAI’, a Type B support for continuous employment support facility operated by Imakoko, a general incorporated association in the city, for fraudulently claiming and receiving approximately 7.95 million yen in disability welfare service benefits.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 3, 2024 Number of comments0
Blind Disability Japan Welfare

New Okinawa volunteer group established to support use of smartphones and apps by visually impaired

A new volunteer group has been established to support the use of smartphones and apps in an effort to eliminate the information gap caused by visual impairment. Izumi Yoshi, representative of the Prefectural Visually Impaired Support Center said: “We provide telephone support, but if you have any problems, please feel free to contact us.”