Disability employment is rising in Japan, supported by new national targets, training systems and flexible work-pathway programmes.Government and local platforms now offer enhanced employer support, digital assistive tools and stronger job-matching services.Japanese organizations are adopting inclusive hiring, tailored evaluations and workplace adjustments to integrate diverse talent.

Work is not only a means of contributing to society and the economy, it is a vital pathway to economic independence and social inclusivity. The UN SDGs call for “sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all” clearly reflects this principle. Crucially, this goal is intended for everyone, regardless of disability.

According to a 2023 report by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), approximately 11.6 million people (9.2% of the population) live with a disability. In 2024, the actual employment rate of persons with disabilities reached 2.41% in private-sector companies, 3.07% in national public institutions and 3.05% in prefectural public institutions. The private-sector employment rate has risen steadily from 1.46% in 2004 to 2.41% today, a 1.65-fold increase over 20 years. While around 30% of graduates from special needs schools enter regular employment, approximately a third use employment-related welfare services. Notably, the number transitioning from these services into private-sector jobs has increased nearly 20-fold in the same period.

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How is the World Economic Forum promoting sustainable and inclusive mobility systems?

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The World Economic Forum’s Platform for Shaping the Future of Mobility works across four industries: aerospace and drones; automotive and new mobility; aviation travel and tourism; and supply chain and transport. It aims to ensure that the future of mobility is safe, clean, and inclusive.

Through the Clean Skies for Tomorrow Coalition, more than 100 companies are working together to power global aviation with 10% sustainable aviation fuel by 2030.In collaboration with UNICEF, the Forum developed a charter with leading shipping, airlines and logistics to support COVAX in delivering more than 1 billion COVID-19 vaccines to vulnerable communities worldwide.The Road Freight Zero Project and P4G-Getting to Zero Coalition have led to outcomes demonstrating the rationale, costs and opportunities for accelerating the transition to zero emission freight.The Medicine from the Sky initiative is using drones to deliver vaccines and medicine to remote areas in India, completing over 300 successful trials.The Forum’s Target True Zero initiative is working to accelerate the deployment and scaling of zero emission aviation, leveraging electric and hydrogen flight technologies.In collaboration with the City of Los Angeles, Federal Aviation Administration, and NASA, the Forum developed the Principles of the Urban Sky to help adopt Urban Air Mobility in cities worldwide.The Forum led the development of the Space Sustainability Rating to incentivize and promote a more safe and sustainable approach to space mission management and debris mitigation in orbit.The Circular Cars Initiative is informing the automotive circularity policy agenda, following the endorsement from European Commission and Zero Emission Vehicle Transition Council countries, and is now invited to support China’s policy roadmap.The Moving India network is working with policymakers to advance electric vehicle manufacturing policies, ignite adoption of zero emission road freight vehicles, and finance the transition.The Urban Mobility Scorecards initiative – led by the Forum’s Global New Mobility Coalition – is bringing together mobility operators and cities to benchmark the transition to sustainable urban mobility systems.

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Government initiatives to expand disability employment

In January 2023, MHLW announced plans to raise the statutory employment rate of private-sector companies for persons with disabilities from 2.5% to 2.7% by FY 2026. The target has already increased in stages, from 2.3% in 2023 to 2.5% in 2024, with a further rise to 2.7% scheduled.

In November 2025, MHLW proposed revising the criteria of the “Monisu” certification programme, originally created to promote disability employment in SMEs and extending eligibility to large corporations. Established in 2020, the scheme provides certified SMEs with access to low-interest financing, with 545 certified companies as of June 2024. Current discussions focus on improving objectivity in evaluation criteria, introducing mandatory requirements and balancing corporate burdens through levies and incentive schemes.

Strengthening support for employers

Support systems for employers are also evolving. In August 2025, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government launched the Severe Disability Employment Support platform, providing practical information and services to jobseekers and companies. The platform connects individuals with severe disabilities to support organizations employers. It also shares case studies and introduces digital assistive technologies tailored to different types of disabilities including eye-tracking input systems and chin-controlled device. It deploys specialized coordinators to support job matching and workplace adjustments.

Japan’s Organization for Employment of the Elderly, Persons with Disabilities and Job Seekers (JEED) offers foundational training programmes for professionals working in disability employment support across the welfare, education and healthcare sectors. It aims to strengthen the skills and capacity of those who support jobseekers.

Expanding corporate engagement in disability employment

Momentum is also building in the private sector. Sony Group has pursued a recruitment policy based on the principle of hiring “people who can work together with Sony,” regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation or disability status. Many employees with disabilities work as full-time employees. Recognizing diversity as a driver of innovation, Sony promotes inclusion through four pillars: leadership commitment, peer awareness, employee self-empowerment and workplace infrastructure developed by HR and general affairs.

Money Forward, a cloud-based accounting software company, has introduced a tailored performance evaluation system for employees with disabilities. New hires start on fixed-term contracts focused on integration and retention, before transiting to productivity-based evaluation as permanent employees. Opportunities to transition into general career-track roles are supported by performance-based management with appropriate accommodation. At Sumitomo Precision Products, employees with hearing impairments play an essential role in welding aircraft components, among other skilled tasks.

Building a society where everyone can work

Expanding access to work strengthens the social participation and economic independence of people with disabilities and brings diverse talent and unique perspectives into organizations. The cumulative impact of collaboration among government, business and civil society is building the foundation for a more inclusive and resilient society in which no one is left behind.