How to Get Japan’s Rehabilitation Handbook: The Ryouiku Techou
If your child has been diagnosed with an intellectual disability (chiteki shougai / 知的障害) or a developmental disability (hattatsu shougai / 発達障害) in Japan, one of the most important steps you can take is determining whether they are eligible for the ryouiku techou (Intellectual Disability Handbook / 療育手帳) and/or the seishin shougaisha hoken fukushi techou (Mental Disability Certificate / 精神障害者保健福祉手帳).
Unlike the other two disability handbooks, the ryouiku techou each prefecture runs its own version of the system. This means that the name of the handbook, the grading system, and some of the benefits vary depending on where you live.
What Is It Called Where You Live?
The national name used in the MHLW guideline is ryouiku techou (療育手帳), and most prefectures use this name. However, some areas have their own name for the same handbook.
| Area | Local Name |
| Most prefectures | Ryouiku techou (療育手帳) |
| Tokyo, Yokohama | Ai no techou (愛の手帳) |
| Aomori, Nagoya | Aigo techou (愛護手帳) |
| Saitama (formerly) | Midori no techou (みどりの手帳) |
In Saitama, the handbook was called the midori no techou (みどりの手帳) because of its green cover. Since October 2015, the cover has been dark blue (navy), but some people in the area still use the old name. Regardless of what it is called locally, the handbook functions the same way across the country.
Who Is Eligible?
The ryouiku techou is issued to people who have been assessed and determined to have an intellectual disability by one of the following assessment bodies:
• For children under 18: The child guidance center (jidou soudan sho / 児童相談所).
• For adults 18 and over: The adult intellectual disability consultation center (chiteki shougaisha kousei soudanjo / 知的障害者更生相談所).
There is no minimum age requirement written into the system. However, in practice, it can be difficult to get a definitive assessment for very young children (under age 2 or 3), because intellectual disability assessments rely on standardized tests that are more reliable as a child gets older.
An important distinction: the ryouiku techou is specifically for intellectual disability. If your child has a developmental disability (hattatsu shougai / 発達障害) such as autism, ADHD, or a learning disability without an accompanying intellectual disability, they would typically apply for the seishin shougaisha hoken fukushi techou (精神障害者保健福祉手帳) instead. However, if your child has both a developmental disability and an intellectual disability, the ryouiku techou is the appropriate handbook.
In general, most prefectures will not issue the ryouiku techou to someone with an IQ above approximately 75, though the exact cutoff and the weight given to adaptive behavior and daily living skills vary by prefecture.
How the Grading System Works
The MHLW guideline divides the ryouiku techou into two main grades:
• A (juudo / 重度): Severe intellectual disability
• B (sono ta / その他): All other levels of intellectual disability
However, most prefectures subdivide these further. The exact system depends on where you live.
| Area | Grade System | Levels |
| Saitama | 4 grades | Ⓐ (Maru A): Most severe, A: Severe, B: Moderate, C: Mild |
| Tokyo | 4 degrees | 1 do: Most severe, 2 do: Severe, 3 do: Moderate, 4 do: Mild |
| Kanagawa | 4 grades | A1: Most severe, A2: Severe, B1: Moderate, B2: Mild |
The MHLW guideline defines A (severe) as follows:
• IQ approximately 35 or below, and the person requires assistance with daily activities such as eating, dressing, toileting, and bathing, or exhibits significant behavioral challenges
• IQ approximately 50 or below, and the person also has a physical disability such as blindness, deafness, or a mobility impairment
Everything else falls under B. Your prefecture may further divide B into moderate and mild based on IQ ranges, adaptive behavior, and the level of support needed in daily life.
The grade matters because it affects which services and discounts you can access, and how much support your child receives. A higher severity grade generally means more services and larger discounts.
What Is Assessed During the Evaluation?
The assessment for the ryouiku techou is not just an IQ test. It is a comprehensive evaluation that looks at several areas:
- Intelligence testing (chinoukensa / 知能検査): The most commonly used tests are the Binet-type (Tanaka-Binet) and the Wechsler-type (WISC for children, WAIS for adults). About 96% of prefectures use the Binet test, and about 51% also use the Wechsler test.
- Adaptive behavior and daily living skills: How independently the person can handle daily activities like eating, dressing, communication, and social interaction.
- Medical evaluation: Whether the person has any co-occurring physical or medical conditions.
- Interview with the parent or caregiver: This covers the child’s developmental history, current living situation, behavior, and support needs.
The overall grade is a comprehensive judgment (sougou hantei / 総合判定) based on all of these factors together, not just the IQ score alone.
How to Apply: Step by Step
Step 1: Go to your city or ward office welfare desk.
Visit the disability welfare desk (shougai fukushi tantou madoguchi / 障害福祉担当窓口) at your local city hall, ward office, or town office. Tell them you would like to apply for a ryouiku techou. They will give you the application form (shinsei sho / 申請書) and explain the next steps.
Step 2: Gather your documents.
You will typically need:
- The completed application form (available at the welfare desk)
- Two passport-style photos of your child (4 cm x 3 cm, upper body, taken within the past year)
- Your My Number card or notification card (kojin bangou / 個人番号)
- ID for identity verification (driver’s license, passport, residence card, or health insurance card)
- Your child’s mother and child health handbook (boshi techou / 母子手帳) or other developmental records, if available
The exact list of documents can vary by municipality, so confirm with your local welfare desk.
Step 3: Submit your application.
Bring your documents to the welfare desk and submit the application. The staff will forward your application to the appropriate assessment body.
Step 4: Attend the assessment.
For children under 18, the assessment will be conducted at the child guidance center (jidou soudan sho / 児童相談所). For adults 18 and over, it will be at the adult intellectual disability consultation center (chiteki shougaisha kousei soudanjo / 知的障害者更生相談所), often located at the prefectural rehabilitation center.
The assessment center will contact you with a scheduled date. Expect to wait: the appointment is typically 2 to 3 months after your application. The assessment itself usually takes half a day and includes intelligence testing, a medical check, and an interview.
Step 5: Receive your handbook.
After the assessment, the results are sent to the prefecture, which makes the decision on grading and issuance. You will receive a notification from your city office, and then you pick up the handbook in person. The entire process from application to receiving the handbook typically takes 2 to 3 months.
What the Handbook Looks Like Inside
The ryouiku techou is a small booklet, roughly passport-sized (B7 format). The cover color and design vary by prefecture. Inside, the handbook contains several pages with the following information:
- Page 1: Your child’s photo, name, date of birth, and the handbook number.
- Page 2: Your child’s gender and address, the JR fare reduction type (daiisshu / 第一種 or dainishu / 第二種), and the parent or guardian’s name, relationship, occupation, and contact information.
- Page 3 onward: The assessment record pages. Each reassessment gets a new entry. These pages show the disability grade (shougai no teido / 障害の程度), any co-occurring disabilities, the date of assessment, the date of the next scheduled reassessment, and the assessment center.
- Later pages: Space for therapy and consultation records (ryouiku soudan no kiroku / 療育・相談の記録) and caregiver notes (hogosha no kiroku / 保護者の記録).
One important field on page 2 is the JR fare reduction classification (ryokaku tetsudou kaisha ryokaku unchin gengaku / 旅客鉄道株式会社旅客運賃減額). This determines what kind of train fare discounts your child is eligible for. It is recorded as either daiisshu (第一種, Type 1) or dainishu (第二種, Type 2). Type 1 generally applies to people with more severe disabilities and provides broader discounts, including for a caregiver traveling with them.
Reassessment (Saihantei / 再判定)
The ryouiku techou does not technically expire, but it does have a next reassessment date (tsugi no hantei nengetsu / 次の判定年月) printed inside the handbook. If you do not complete the reassessment by that date, you may lose access to the services and discounts that depend on the handbook.
According to the MHLW guideline, reassessment should happen approximately every 2 years. In practice, the schedule varies by prefecture and depends on the child’s age and situation:
• Children: Typically reassessed every 2 to 5 years, as determined by the child guidance center. Because children’s development changes, reassessments happen more frequently during childhood.
• Adults (18+): In many prefectures, reassessment may be every 10 years, or the handbook may be issued with no further reassessment required. In some areas, a Maru A (most severe) grade means the reassessment is waived entirely.
How reassessment works: Your municipality will usually send you a notice 2 to 3 months before the reassessment date. When you receive this notice, contact the welfare desk to start the process. You will need to bring your child for another assessment at the child guidance center or rehabilitation center. The process is similar to the original application: intelligence testing, medical review, and a parent interview. After the reassessment, the grade may stay the same, go up, or go down based on the new evaluation. If the assessment determines that your child no longer meets the criteria for intellectual disability, the handbook may not be renewed.
Important for parents: School IEPs and progress reports can sometimes paint a picture of your child doing very well. While this is wonderful, be aware that during a reassessment, the evaluation focuses on how much support your child still needs. If your child receives one-on-one aide support, is placed in a special education class, or requires significant accommodations, make sure this is clearly communicated during the reassessment interview. Bring documentation of your child’s actual support needs, not just their academic progress.
Benefits and Services You Can Access
Holding a ryouiku techou makes it much easier to access a wide range of support. The handbook serves as official proof of disability for service applications. Here is an overview of the main categories of benefits.
Disability Welfare Services
With the ryouiku techou, your child is eligible for services under the Disability Comprehensive Support Act (shougaisha sougou shien hou / 障害者総合支援法) and the Child Welfare Act (jidou fukushi hou / 児童福祉法). These include therapy services (jihatsu / 児発, houday / 放デイ), home helpers, short stays, and eventually adult services like group homes and day activity centers. You still need a separate day services recipient certificate (tsuusho jukyuusha shou / 通所受給者証) to use these services, but having the ryouiku techou simplifies the process.
Tax Benefits
The handbook holder or a family member who supports them can claim a disability deduction (shougaisha koujo / 障害者控除) on their income tax and residence tax returns. The deduction amount depends on the grade. People with a ryouiku techou graded A (severe) or equivalent are classified as special (severe) disability (tokubetsu shougaisha / 特別障害者), which provides a larger deduction. There are also inheritance tax and gift tax benefits covered in separate articles on this site. For current tax deduction amounts, see the NTA page: Disability and Tax (National Tax Agency).
Train and Bus Fare Discounts
JR and most private railways offer fare discounts for ryouiku techou holders. The discount depends on the fare reduction type recorded in your handbook (Type 1 or Type 2):
• Type 1 (daiisshu / 第一種): When traveling with a caregiver, both the handbook holder and the caregiver get 50% off regular fare, regardless of distance. When traveling alone, the handbook holder gets 50% off for trips over 100 km.
• Type 2 (dainishu / 第二種): The handbook holder alone gets 50% off for trips over 100 km.
Many bus companies also offer discounts. Air travel discounts vary by airline. For details, see the Disability Discounts for Travel article on this site.
ETC Highway Toll Discount
Ryouiku techou holders may be eligible for the ETC highway toll discount (50% off). This requires a separate application through your city office. See the ETC Highway Toll Discount article on this site for the step-by-step process.
NHK Fee Reduction
Households with a ryouiku techou holder may qualify for a reduction or exemption from NHK broadcasting fees. The level of reduction depends on the grade and household income. For details, see: NHK Fee Exemption Information.
Mobile Phone Discounts
Major carriers (NTT Docomo, au/KDDI, SoftBank) offer disability discount plans (shougaisha waribiki / 障害者割引) for ryouiku techou holders. Check with your carrier for details.
Amusement Parks and Cultural Facilities
Many museums, zoos, aquariums, and amusement parks offer free or discounted admission for disability handbook holders and their caregivers. Always bring the handbook with you when visiting.
Employment Support
The ryouiku techou qualifies the holder for disability employment (shougaisha koyou / 障害者雇用). Employers count people with disability handbooks toward their legally required employment quota (shougaisha koyou ritsu / 障害者雇用率). For adults, having the handbook can open doors to supported employment and job placement services.
Other Local Benefits
Depending on your municipality, there may be additional benefits such as the severely disabled persons medical fee subsidy (juudo shinshin shougaisha iryouhi josei / 重度心身障害者医療費助成), taxi vouchers, fuel subsidies, or a cash allowance (tokubetsu jidou fuyou teate / 特別児童扶養手当). Check with your city office’s welfare desk for the full list of local benefits.
If You Move to a Different Prefecture
Because the ryouiku techou system is run by each prefecture independently, moving to a new prefecture can affect your handbook. When you move:
- Report your move to the welfare desk at your new city or ward office.
- Your existing handbook will be reviewed, and you may need a new assessment under the new prefecture’s criteria.
- It is possible for the grade to change when you move, because different prefectures use different assessment criteria and grading systems.
Before moving, contact the welfare desk in your destination city to ask what the process will be. Bring your current handbook and any assessment records with you.
The Mirairo ID Digital App
The Mirairo ID (ミライロID) is a smartphone app that lets you store a digital copy of your disability handbook. Many businesses, transport companies, and public facilities in Japan accept the Mirairo ID as proof of disability, which means you do not always need to carry the physical booklet. The app can verify your handbook through My Number (マイナンバー) linkage. You can download it from the App Store or Google Play. See: Mirairo ID Official Site.
A Note on Reform
As of 2026, the Japanese government is working on standardizing the ryouiku techou system across prefectures. Currently, because each prefecture runs its own version, there are differences in grading criteria, IQ cutoffs, and how developmental disabilities are handled. The MHLW’s Social Security Council Disability Subcommittee (shakai hoshou shingikai shougaisha bukai / 社会保障審議会障害者部会) has been discussing nationwide unification of assessment standards. This process is ongoing, and any changes will be reported on this site as they happen.
Practical Tips
• Apply early. The process from application to receiving the handbook can take 2 to 3 months. If your child has been diagnosed with an intellectual disability, start the process as soon as possible.
• Bring documentation to the assessment. If your child receives one-on-one aide support at school, is in a special education class (tokubetsu shien gakkyu / 特別支援学級), or needs significant daily support, bring written evidence. The assessors will ask about your child’s daily life, so be specific about what help they need.
• Track the reassessment date. Write it in your calendar. Some municipalities send a reminder, but not all. If you miss the date, services can be interrupted.
• Keep the handbook safe. You will need to present it regularly for service applications, discounts, and at the welfare desk. If lost, you can apply for a replacement through your welfare desk.
• Ask about local benefits. Every municipality has slightly different offerings. When you pick up the handbook, ask the welfare desk for a list of all available services and discounts in your area.
• You can hold more than one handbook. If your child has both an intellectual disability and a physical disability, they can hold both a ryouiku techou and a shintai shougaisha techou at the same time.
• The handbook is not mandatory. You are not required to apply. Some families choose not to, and that is perfectly fine. But many services and discounts are much easier to access with it.
Key Terms
| English | Japanese |
| Intellectual disability handbook (also called a disability certificate) | ryouiku techou / 療育手帳 |
| Tokyo/Yokohama name for ryouiku techou | ai no techou / 愛の手帳 |
| Former Saitama name for ryouiku techou | midori no techou / みどりの手帳 |
| Intellectual disability | chiteki shougai / 知的障害 |
| Child guidance center (assessment for under 18) | jidou soudan sho / 児童相談所 |
| Adult intellectual disability consultation center (for 18+) | chiteki shougaisha kousei soudanjo / 知的障害者更生相談所 |
| Disability welfare desk | shougai fukushi tantou madoguchi / 障害福祉担当窓口 |
| Reassessment | saihantei / 再判定 |
| Comprehensive assessment/judgment | sougou hantei / 総合判定 |
| Severe (Grade A) | juudo / 重度 |
| Type 1 (JR fare reduction classification) | daiisshu / 第一種 |
| Type 2 (JR fare reduction classification) | dainishu / 第二種 |
| Special (severe) disability status (higher tax deductions) | tokubetsu shougaisha / 特別障害者 |
| Mother and child health handbook | boshi techou / 母子手帳 |
Useful Resources
MHLW: Disability Handbooks Overview (障害者手帳)
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/hukushi_kaigo/shougaishahukushi/techou.html
MHLW: Ryouiku Techou System Overview (PDF)
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/12200000/001679542.pdf
MHLW: Ryouiku Techou System Guideline (1973 notice, PDF)
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/12200000/000639205.pdf
Saitama Prefectural Rehabilitation Center: Ryouiku Techou
https://www.pref.saitama.lg.jp/rihasen/annai/green-techou.html
Saitama Prefecture: Ryouiku Techou
https://www.pref.saitama.lg.jp/a0604/ryouiku/ryouikutecho.html
NTA: Disability and Tax (障害者控除)
https://www.nta.go.jp/taxes/shiraberu/taxanswer/shotoku/1160.htm
Mirairo ID (Digital Disability Handbook App)
