National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities

The National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities (国立障害者リハビリテーションセンター) is Japan’s leading national center for disability rehabilitation, combining a hospital, rehabilitation and independent living services, a training college, and a research institute on a single campus. It provides highly specialized care and support for people with a wide range of disabilities, including spinal cord injuries, amputations, stroke-related disabilities, higher brain dysfunction (高次脳機能障害), developmental disabilities, and visual, hearing, speech, and language impairments. For families navigating a complex disability, it is one of Japan’s most important centers for rehabilitation, education, and disability support.

The center’s hospital provides specialist medical care and rehabilitation, while its Independence Support Division (自立支援局) offers programs that help people develop daily living skills, increase independence, and prepare for employment. Services include employment transition support (就労移行支援), helping people build the skills needed to move into the workforce. The center is also home to several nationally recognized information services, including the Developmental Disability Information and Support Center and the Higher Brain Dysfunction Information and Support Center, as well as an assistive technology office that develops and promotes innovative support devices.

In addition to providing direct services, the center shares a wide range of practical resources with the public. Its website includes instructional videos, manuals, and educational materials covering topics such as wheelchair skills, driving with a disability, assistive technology, and techniques for independent living for people with visual impairments. These resources can be valuable for both families and professionals seeking reliable, evidence-based guidance.

The center also plays a major role in training the professionals who support people with disabilities throughout Japan. Through its college, specialist training programs, and research institute, it helps develop new rehabilitation methods, improve disability services, and advance assistive technology. It is also designated as a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre, reflecting its importance both within Japan and internationally. For families, this means the center is not only a place where specialized care is available, but also a national leader whose research and expertise influence disability services across the country.

The National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities is located in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture. While many services are provided on campus, its information centers, educational resources, and published guidance are available to families throughout Japan. The website is primarily in Japanese, with selected pages available in English, Chinese, and Korean. Use browser translation to explore the center’s resources and learn about the services it provides.