On January 28, 2022, for the first time the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) held a meeting of the Study Group for the Improvement of the Curricula and such of Speech-Language Therapy (SLTs) Schools/Training Schools

In recent years, given the increasing severity and complexity of disabilities and pathologies associated with the development of a super-aged society and the expanding needs of professionals in schools and classrooms for special needs education, the educational requirements for SLTs have changed. In addition, it is recommended to review the number of credits required and the modality of the clinical practice to improve the quality of SLTs. Therefore, the MHLW has set up the Study Group to examine the curricula and other aspects of SLT schools/training schools.

The following items are presented as education-related reviews of the Regulations for the Designation of SLT Schools/Training Schools and the SLT Training School Education Guidelines:

(1)   Review of educational content and its number of credits
(2)   The modality of the clinical practice
(3)   The requirements for full-time teaching staff
(4)   Others

The MHLW will compile a final report around June 2022, followed by relevant legislative amendments. After a preparation period, the new system will then be applied to students starting in April 2024.

According to the Survey of Medical Facilities and Hospital Reports, it is said that the number of licensed SLTs as of  December 31, 2019 was 32,833, and the number of clinical practitioners as of October 1, 2017, was 15,781 (full-time equivalent) in hospitals and 858 (full-time equivalent) in clinics.  Furthermore, the number of training schools as of April 1, 2021 was 74, with a total capacity of 2,995 persons.

For more information, please visit the website below (in Japanese only):
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/shingi/other-isei_533684_00010.html