Key Facts
• July 16, 2025: Japan’s Ministry of Education released a 2024 survey on medical care in schools.
• Nearly 30% of schools with medically dependent children lack disaster preparedness plans.
• 8,700 students in 724 special needs schools require medical care; 2,559 in 2,219 regular schools.
• Special needs school numbers remain stable, while regular school figures doubled in six years.
• 74.4% of special needs schools and 72.2% of regular schools have disaster plans.
• Only 40.9% of special needs schools and 54.4% of regular schools plan for extended stays.
• About 10% of schools have no plans to establish disaster preparedness measures.
• 2023: Over 203,376 students received “resource room instruction,” a 1.2x increase in three years.
• 60% of these students have developmental disabilities.
• New curriculum guidelines aim to provide subject-specific instruction for these students.
Summary
A 2024 survey by Japan’s Ministry of Education revealed that nearly 30% of schools with medically dependent children, such as those requiring suction or feeding tubes, lack disaster preparedness plans. While 74.4% of special needs schools and 72.2% of regular schools have plans for medical equipment and emergency food, only about half address extended stays during disasters. Approximately 10% of schools have no plans to establish such measures. The number of medically dependent children in regular schools has doubled over six years, reaching 2,559 in 2024. Additionally, over 203,376 students received “resource room instruction” in 2023, with 60% having developmental disabilities. The Ministry plans to enhance support by including subject-specific instruction in future guidelines.
