Abstract
Due to the rapid globalization caused by structural industrial change, the prolonged economic recession, ageing populations and declining birthrates, it has become necessary to review and redirect social policies all over the world. In Japan as well, social welfare policies have been radically transformed from policies based on social compensation such as income security to those focusing on social integration with an emphasis on independence. Labor policies for mentally disabled people have been greatly influenced by this transformation. Since the late 1990s, the number of labor policies for mentally disabled people has been increasing, and during the present decade the government's structural reforms have brought the multiplication of these policies. However, due to the rapid implementation of these policies and the resulting lack of discussion, they are characterized by ambiguity regarding conceptual definition. Consequently, the current system is not one based on social models wherein the mentally disabled can choose what they desire according to their needs. The conditions of mentally disabled people vary, depending on their situations and environments; therefore, a system that is not based on social models creates various problems. Moreover, "mental disability," unlike other types of disabilities, develops during one's working years and occurs in relation to one's labor. Therefore, establishing a labor system wherein mentally disabled people can work in a normal manner despite disabilities is a step forward in establishing a system in which all workers can work safely. Section 1 of this paper confirms the fact that labor policies for disabled people, like general labor policies, have been influenced by economic and financial conditions, and that those for mentally disabled people have developed likewise. Section 2 shows that one of the reasons that these policies have multiplied is that the government has aimed at reducing the budget for social welfare. On the basis of this understanding, Section 3 points out that the labor policies for mentally disabled people are not in accordance with international trends, targets, or theories. Section 4 proves that the policies are too unrealistic to have much effect, the basic reason for this being inadequately formed policy ideals. Therefore, policy ideals need to be discussed early on to heighten policy effectiveness.
