On 17 April 2023, at the 128th breakout session on the Employment of Persons with Disabilities under the Labor Policy Council, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) reported the results of a survey of so-called business agencies of companies employing persons with disabilities.
These so-called business agencies provide workplaces for persons with disabilities employed under these companies. In recent years, an increasing number of such types of businesses have provided rental farms to companies employing persons with disabilities so that they can work together on the farm as a single entity. This method allows companies to meet their employment quotas for persons with disabilities, without needing to secure a workplace for them inside their companies. In addition, the business agencies for companies that employ workers with disabilities can receive funding from these companies in various ways.
There is a debate on whether this type of employment of persons with disabilities is in line with the aims of the Act to Facilitate the Employment of Persons with Disabilities, which the Diet has studied.
The MHLW has surveyed the current situation of business agencies that provide facilities and equipment (for farms, satellite offices, etc.) in workplaces for persons with disabilities, referring to this practice as an employment business for persons with disabilities.
The results of the survey are shown below:
(As of March end, 2023)
Number of business agencies | 23 agencies (*1) |
Number of workplaces | 125 (*2) |
Farms (out of 125 workplaces) | 91 |
Satellite offices (out of 125 workplaces) | 32 |
Number of companies using business agencies | More than 1,081 (*3) |
Of the 1,081, companies that were identified | 253 (*4) |
Number of persons with disabilities working under such business agencies | More than 6,568 (*5) |
In determining the actual situation, the survey covers a wide range of workplaces, including those that do not provide work or other services.
For more information, please visit: https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/shingi/shingi-rousei_126985.html