On June 7, 2023, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) published a report on the "Fact-finding Survey Results on the Lifelong Learning Activities of Persons with Disabilities – A Survey of Local Governments and of Persons with Disabilities Themselves (FY2022)".

The purpose of the survey was to find out how post-school-age persons with disabilities participate in learning activities, their inhibiting and facilitating factors, what systems local governments have in place to develop and provide learning programs for them, and what challenges local governments are facing. By sorting out and analyzing the information collected from the survey, the MEXT intends to promote support for practical learning for persons with disabilities who transition from school to society after graduation and in various life stages.

The survey consisted of two parts: one targeting local governments and the other targeting persons with disabilities.

The respective survey methods and main findings are as follows:
[Surveys targeting local governments]
(1)Survey via questionnaire Targets: 47 prefectures and 1,741 cities, wards, towns, and villages (complete coverage)
Method: The MEXT emailed a sample survey form in electronic format and a URL for a web-based questionnaire and accepted responses via the web.
Period: January 5, 2023 - February 13, 2023
Number of valid responses: 41 prefectures (valid response rate: 87.2%), 892 municipalities (valid response rate: 51.2%)
Main survey results:
① Status of preparation of administrative plans / Status of intra-agency and inter-agency cooperation
- Percentage of local governments that have administrative plans depicting lifelong learning for people with disabilities: prefectures (95.1%) and municipalities (59.4%)
② Status of ascertaining lifelong learning needs
- Percentage of local governments that have ascertained the lifelong learning needs of persons with disabilities: prefectures (87.8%) and municipalities (42.0%)
③ Implementation status of courses and programs
- Percentage of local governments that do not implement such programs: cities and special wards designated by government ordinance (0.0%), towns (55.4%) and villages (63.0%)
- The most common activities were "Courses for Persons with Disabilities (youth classes, open colleges, etc.)" and "Events and social gatherings."
- Many responded and local governments appeared to "have provided reasonable accommodation upon request" when hosting courses/programs.
(2)Survey via interview
- Conducted at three local governments that are actively promoting lifelong learning for persons with disabilities
［Survey targeting persons with disabilities]
Targets: Persons with disabilities aged 18 and over
Method: Selected an Internet survey company that monitors the target persons with disabilities aged 18 or older and their family members and conducted a web-based survey through the survey company.
Period: January 13, 2023 - January 17, 2023
Number of valid responses: 4,326
Main survey results:
① Fulfilment of lifelong learning opportunities/status of initiatives.
- Percentage with lifelong learning opportunities (38.2%),
- no opportunities (38.5%),
- 'don't know' (23.3%)
② Means and places/contents of lifelong learning
- Means and places for lifelong learning are: 'independent learning through TV, radio, internet and books' (41.9%), 'learning at home with visiting supporters or in institutions (24.3%)', ' daytime activities at offices of welfare services for persons with disabilities and residential institutions (21.9%)'.
- Activities engaged in were leisure and recreational activities (40.0%); learning about knowledge and skills necessary for daily life and social life (33.7%); activities related to continuing and reitrerative education (32.1%).

For more information, please visit the website below:
https://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/ikusei/gakusyushien/1419299_00001.htm