Japanese Firms Fail to Reasonably Accommodate Employees with Disabilities

As of November 2025, a survey by the Mainichi Shimbun has revealed that one in four major companies in Japan have failed to reasonably accommodate employees with disabilities. The revised Act to Facilitate the Employment of Persons with Disabilities, which took effect in 2016, mandates that businesses provide necessary accommodations for workers with disabilities. However, the survey indicates that companies are still struggling to address the varying needs of individuals with different disabilities.

Some firms cited challenges such as an insufficient work environment and the cost and time required to make facilities barrier-free. There were also cases where poor communication and inadequate handover of accommodative measures led to employees feeling alienated and even resigning from their jobs. Companies have expressed a need for more specific case studies and a dedicated consultation desk to seek expert advice on the extent of accommodations required without incurring undue burden.

Despite these challenges, the survey also found that 79 companies had provided reasonable considerations, such as introducing job coaching support and allowing the use of assistive equipment. The employment rate of people with disabilities at private companies reached a record high of 2.41% in 2024, though the survey suggests more work is needed to fully support this workforce.