Employment for People with Disabilities in Japan
What Happens After School?
When a person with a disability finishes school in Japan, one of the biggest questions is: what comes next? For many families, especially those whose children attended special needs schools (tokubetsu shien gakkou / 特別支援学校), the transition from school to adult life revolves around this question.
The reality is that the pathways after school vary widely depending on the person’s abilities, interests, and level of support needed. Some people move into regular employment at companies. Others work in supported settings with ongoing assistance. Others participate in day programs focused on productive activities and daily living. All of these are valid pathways, and Japan has a structured system to support each one.
Japan’s Disability Employment Quota
Houtei Kouyou Ritsu (法定雇用率) / Legal Employment Rate
Japan requires companies of a certain size to employ people with disabilities. This is the houtei kouyou ritsu, the legally mandated employment rate. Companies that do not meet the quota must pay a levy (noufu kin / 納付金), while companies that exceed it receive an adjustment payment.
The quota applies to companies with 40 or more employees and is gradually increasing. As of July 2026, the quota for private companies rises to 2.7%, and for government agencies to 3.0%. This means that for every 37 employees, a company must employ at least one person with a disability.
This system creates real demand for workers with disabilities. Over 640,000 people with disabilities are employed at private companies in Japan, and the number grows each year. Hello Work (the government employment agency) places over 110,000 people with disabilities into jobs annually.
Details: MHLW: Disability Employment Policy
The Employment Pathways
Japan’s employment support system for people with disabilities has several levels, from fully supported work to regular employment. Here is how they connect:
1. Ippan Shuurou (一般就労) / Regular Employment
Working at a regular company with a standard employment contract. The person receives at least the minimum wage and has the same labor protections as any other employee. Many companies have dedicated disability employment departments and provide workplace accommodations such as modified tasks, flexible hours, job coaching, or a quieter work environment.
Regular employment is the goal for people who can work with reasonable accommodation. The disability employment quota system means there are companies actively looking to hire, and Hello Work has dedicated staff to help with job matching.
2. Shurou Ikou Shien (就労移行支援) / Employment Transition Support
This is a time-limited training program (up to 24 months, with extensions possible in some cases) designed to prepare people for regular employment. The person attends a shurou ikou shien jigyousho (就労移行支援事業所), where they receive work skills training, job search support, resume preparation, interview practice, and workplace trials. Staff also help with job placement and provide follow-up support after the person starts working.
This is one of the most effective pathways to regular employment. Many special needs school graduates who have work potential start here.
3. Shurou Keizoku Shien A-gata (就労継続支援A型) / Continued Employment Support Type A
The person works at a shurou keizoku shien A-gata jigyousho (就労継続支援A型事業所), a supported employment facility, under an actual employment contract. They receive at least the minimum wage and have labor protections. The facility provides ongoing workplace support, supervision, and assistance.
A-type facilities are businesses that employ people with disabilities in productive work: packaging, manufacturing, food service, data entry, cleaning, agriculture, and many other fields. The key difference from regular employment is that the facility is specifically designed to support workers with disabilities.
4. Shurou Keizoku Shien B-gata (就労継続支援B型) / Continued Employment Support Type B
The person participates in productive activities at a shurou keizoku shien B-gata jigyousho (就労継続支援B型事業所), but without a formal employment contract. Instead of a wage, they receive a kouchikin (工賃), a production-based allowance, which is typically modest.
B-type is the most widely used employment-related service in Japan. It serves people with a wide range of disabilities, including those with more severe needs who may not be ready for or suited to contract-based employment. Activities include craft production, assembly work, baking, farming, recycling, and other productive tasks, alongside skill-building and social activities.
There is no time limit on B-type participation. Many people attend B-type facilities for years or even decades as their primary daytime activity.
5. Shurou Sentaku Jigyou (就労選択事業) / Employment Selection Program
This is a newer service that helps people explore their options before committing to a specific employment pathway. Through assessments, work trials, and counseling, the person and their support team determine which pathway (regular employment, transition support, A-type, B-type, or day program) is the best fit. This is especially useful for young adults leaving school who are unsure what they want or what they can do.
6. Shurou Teichaku Shien (就労定着支援) / Employment Settlement Support
For people who have moved into regular employment, this service provides up to three years of follow-up support to help them stay in the job. Staff check in with both the employee and the employer, address workplace issues, and help with daily life challenges (such as commuting, managing schedules, or handling workplace relationships) that could affect job retention.
7. Seikatsu Kaigo (生活介護) / Day Program
For people with more severe disabilities who are not suited to employment-oriented services, the seikatsu kaigo day program provides daytime care, activities, and social participation. This is not an employment service, but it is an important daytime option. See our article “Disability Welfare Services in Japan: A Complete Overview” for details.
Where to Get Help Finding Work
Hello Work (Haroo Waaku / ハローワーク)
Hello Work (formally koukyou shokugyou antei sho / 公共職業安定所) is Japan’s government-run employment agency. Every Hello Work office has a dedicated disability employment section (shougaisha koyou tantoukan / 障害者雇用担当官) with staff who specialize in finding jobs for people with disabilities. Services are completely free.
What Hello Work can do for you:
- Job counseling and career guidance
- Job matching based on the person’s abilities and interests
- Introductions to companies that are actively hiring people with disabilities
- Workplace trial programs (shokugyou taikendan / 職場体験等) where the person can try a job before committing
- Referrals to employment support services (transition support, A-type, B-type)
- Support with applications, resumes, and interviews
Find your nearest Hello Work: MHLW: Hello Work Locations
Shougaisha Shuugyou Seikatsu Shien Sentaa (障害者就業・生活支援センター) / Disability Employment and Life Support Center
These centers (often called “shuusei sentaa” / 就生センター for short) provide combined support for both employment and daily life. They understand that for many people with disabilities, work challenges and life challenges are connected. A person may struggle at work because of difficulties with transportation, money management, or daily routines at home.
These centers work alongside Hello Work and employment support facilities to provide a more holistic support package. There are about 340 centers across Japan.
Details: MHLW: Employment and Life Support Centers
The School’s Transition Support
If your child is still in school, the school itself is an important resource. Special needs schools are required to provide transition support (ikou shien / 移行支援) to help students prepare for life after graduation. This includes work experience placements, visits to potential employers and facilities, and coordination with Hello Work and employment support services. Make sure you are involved in this process and that the school’s plan aligns with your family’s goals.
What Does the Day Look Like?
To help parents understand what these pathways actually look like in practice, here are some examples:
Regular Employment Example
A person with an intellectual disability works at a large hotel’s laundry department. They sort, fold, and organize linens five days a week, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. A job coach from a shurou teichaku shien agency visits once a month to check in with the employee and the supervisor. The person earns minimum wage and receives the same benefits as other employees.
A-Type Example
A person with autism works at an A-type facility that operates a bakery. They measure ingredients, mix dough, and package products. They work under an employment contract, receive minimum wage, and attend four days a week. Staff provide structure and support throughout the day.
B-Type Example
A person with a severe intellectual disability attends a B-type facility where they do simple assembly work (packaging small items) in the morning and participate in art and music activities in the afternoon. They attend five days a week and receive a small monthly production allowance. Staff provide personal care and behavioral support as needed.
Practical Tips
- Start exploring employment options while your child is still in school. Visit A-type and B-type facilities, attend Hello Work consultations, and participate in the school’s transition planning.
- Go to Hello Work and register. Even if your family member is not ready to work immediately, registering opens access to counseling, job trials, and referrals.
- Visit multiple facilities before choosing. The quality, atmosphere, and types of work vary significantly between A-type and B-type providers.
- B-type is not a failure. For many people with severe disabilities, B-type provides meaningful daily activity, social connection, and structure. It is a valid and valuable pathway.
- The employment selection program (shurou sentaku jigyou) is new and worth asking about. It is designed specifically for people who are unsure which pathway is right for them.
- If your family member gets a regular job, make sure they receive shurou teichaku shien (employment settlement support) to help them stay in the job. The first months at a new job are the most vulnerable period.
- The disability employment quota means companies need to hire. This is not charity. Companies have a legal obligation and often a genuine willingness to make it work. Do not be afraid to apply.
- Search for employment support facilities in your area using the WAMNET provider search.
Key Terms
| Japanese Term | English |
| Houtei kouyou ritsu / 法定雇用率 | Legal employment quota |
| Haroo waaku / ハローワーク | Hello Work (employment agency) |
| Shurou ikou shien / 就労移行支援 | Employment transition support |
| Shurou keizoku shien A-gata / 就労継続支援A型 | Continued employment A (contract) |
| Shurou keizoku shien B-gata / 就労継続支援B型 | Continued employment B (no contract) |
| Shurou sentaku jigyou / 就労選択事業 | Employment selection program |
| Shurou teichaku shien / 就労定着支援 | Employment settlement support |
| Kouchikin / 工賃 | Production-based allowance |
| Noufu kin / 納付金 | Employment levy (quota penalty) |
| Ikou shien / 移行支援 | Transition support |
| Shougaisha shuugyou seikatsu shien sentaa / 障害者就業・生活支援 センター | Disability Employment and Life Support Center |
Useful Resources
MHLW: Disability Employment Policy (障害者雇用対策):
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/koyou_roudou/koyou/shougaishakoyou/index.html
MHLW: Employment Support Measures (就労支援対策): https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/newpage_40524.html
MHLW: Hello Work (ハローワーク):
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/koyou_roudou/koyou/hellowork.html
JEED (Japan Organization for Employment of the Elderly, Persons with Disabilities and Job Seekers): https://www.jeed.go.jp/
WAMNET (Welfare and Medical Service Network): https://www.wam.go.jp/
