What dose it come to your mind at first when you think about Japanese social security system?
For me as a Japanese person, Japan has a well-regarded healthcare system, which residents are required to have health insurance.
It’s either through employer-based insurance or the National Health Insurance (NHI) system for self-employed and unemployed individuals. Patients typically pay 30% of medical costs, with the government covering the rest.
On top of that, there are safety nets like livelihood protection without age limits to guarantee a minimum standard of living for people whose income is low because of illness, accident, and unemployment, or who have a difficult life because of medical costs.
I am receiving supports for persons with disabilities.
To be specific, I have a handbook (disability certificate), which offers discount for disabled persons.
You can also obtain the handbook here in Japan
If you’re a foreign resident in Japan, you may be eligible to apply for a disability certificate—often referred to as a “handbook” in English. This certificate provides access to various public support services, such as transportation discounts, tax reductions, and welfare programs.
Here’s an overview of the basic eligibility requirements:
Who Can Apply?
- You must have a residence qualification such as student visa, work visa and permanent residence visa.
- You must have a medical condition that qualifies as a disability under Japanese law.
- Your disability must be officially diagnosed by a Japanese doctor.
Tourists and short-term visitors are NOT eligible because you need a residence card and a registered address in Japan.
Types of Disability Certificates You Can Apply For
Japan issues three main types of disability certificates, depending on the type and severity of your condition:
- Physical Disability Certificate – For mobility, vision, hearing, or internal organ disabilities
- Mental Disability Certificate – For psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, etc.
- Intellectual Disability Certificate – For intellectual disabilities (IQ below a certain threshold)
Each certificate is issued under different legal frameworks and is intended to support individuals with varying types of impairments.
Below is an overview showing how many people in Japan currently hold each type of certificate, based on government data from FY2023.
| Type of Certificate | Number of Holders | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Disability Certificate | 4,783,069 | Based on the Act on Welfare of Physically Disabled Persons |
| Intellectual Disability Certificate (Ryoiku Techo) | 1,281,469 | Operated according to local government guidelines |
| Mental Disability Certificate | 1,448,917 | Based on the Act on Mental Health and Welfare for the Mentally Disabled |
Source: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Japan “Disability Certificate System”
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/hukushi_kaigo/shougaishahukushi/techou.html
Benefits of Having a Disability Certificate
If you live in Japan and have a disability, getting a disability certificate can offer more support than you might expect.
From transportation discounts to tax benefits, here are some of the key advantages you should know about.
- Discounts on public transport (buses, trains, taxis, airlines)
- Medical expense reductions
- Tax reductions (income tax, car tax, etc.)
- Welfare benefits & support services (financial aid, caregiver support, employment assistance)
For more information, I strongly recommend visiting the website “障害者手帳で行こう！～全国版～”.
It’s in Japanese only, but it provides lots of useful details about discounts, services, and accessible places for people with disability certificates in Japan.
How to Apply as a Foreigner
The general steps for applying for the disability certificate changes depending on the type of disabilities. The below is an example for the case of the mentally disabled.
【Step 1】
Go to your local city hall to request a designated application document for seishin shogaisha techo (精神障害者手帳).
【Step2】
Request medical certificate from your psychiatrist.
The diagnosis can only be valid as the application at least six months after the date of first medical examination (Shoshin Ninteibi in Japanese).The main point is that you check whether the doctor will provide a medical certificate or not in advance. This is because some of them decline your offer due to their own perspective.
【Step3】
Submit the required application at your local city office.
【Step 4】
Wait for approval. It takes up to 3-4 months. ( I had actually waited it for 3 months ) you are to receive a mental disability handbook with your disability grade.In addition, you are required to update it once every two years with a newly issued medical certificate.
Some Municipalities Provide Extra Help for Foreign Residents
Even if you have a disability certificate in Japan, some foreign residents may not be eligible to receive disability pension benefits—such as the Basic Disability Pension—because they were not able to join the public pension system in the past.
Disability pension benefits are financial support provided to people with long-term physical or mental impairments that significantly affect their daily life and ability to work.
This especially applies to individuals who were already 20 years old and held foreign nationality before January 1, 1982. In some cases, they remained excluded from the pension system even afterward.
To support such individuals, certain municipalities in Japan have established their own independent welfare benefit programs.
| Municipality | Program Name | Official Link |
|---|---|---|
| Kawasaki City | Welfare Allowance for Foreign Residents with Disabilities | Kawasaki City PDF |
| Osaka City | Benefit for Foreign Residents with Disabilities | Osaka City Page |
| Itabashi Ward (Tokyo) | Special Benefit for Persons with Severe Disabilities | Itabashi Ward Page |
| Atsugi City (Kanagawa) | Welfare Benefit for Foreign Seniors and People with Disabilities | Atsugi City Page |
Eligibility criteria may vary by municipality.
For accurate and up-to-date information, please refer to the official links provided above.
⚠️ AttentionPlease note: These support programs are not part of a national system.They are independently established and managed by each local municipality.Availability and application details may vary by region.
Conclusion
Life in Japan as a person with a disability—or as a family member—comes with many questions.
I’m still learning too, but I hope sharing what I know helps you understand Japan’s welfare system a little better. If you found it useful, feel free to share it.