On 29 March 2023, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) established the Basic Policy on Measures to Support Vulnerable Women (MHLW Notification No. 111 of 2023).

Article 7, paragraph 1 of the Act to Support Vulnerable Women (Act No. 52 of 2022) states that the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare must establish a basic policy on measures for vulnerable women.

The table of contents of the basic policy is as follows:

Part 1 is about the basic matters concerning support for vulnerable women. 17.7% had a history of hospital admissions or hospitalizations and were taking regular medications (not including those with a certificate). Nearly half of the women admitted have some form of disability or illness.

#6 is about the current status of residents in self-reliance support facilities for women (formerly women's protection facilities. In regard to women with disabilities, "of those admitted in 2020, 12.4% of the inmates in 2020 held a psychosocial disability health welfare certificate, 10.2% an intellectual disabilities handbook, and 4.0% a mobility impairment certificate."

In response to this, "7. Summary" states that the fact that nearly half of the women admitted to self-reliance support facilities for women (formerly women's protection facilities) have some form of disability or illness means that support from the psychological and medical aspects, including psychological support such as counseling, is extremely important when providing support to these women.

Furthermore, "Given those young women (including children and expectant and nursing mothers) whose victimization by sexual exploitation is likely to be perceived as a 'sexual misconduct'), it is necessary to respond to them within the framework of support for women dealing with difficulties, taking full account of the issues behind them, such as abuse, violence, poverty, family problems, isolation, and disability, while cooperating with relevant agencies such as child guidance centers, so that they do not fall between the cracks of the system." It states in "1. Objectives of the measures and fundamental principles in the Act" under "II. Matters concerning the components of measures to support women dealing with difficulties”.

Furthermore, in “(iii) Support for daytime activities" in "(8) support for self-reliance" under "5. Components of support”, "various issues may exist, such as when the woman herself has a disability, such as a psychosocial disability or a developmental disability, or when she lacks employment experience." Hence, it is necessary for support to take this into account.

For more information, please visit:https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/newpage_32287.html