Continuous Survey Vol. 5: "Two out of Three" Remote Workers with Disabilities Respond That It Would Be Difficult to Continue Working If Remote Work Were Abolished

General Partners Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) conducted an "Online Survey on Remote Work and Employment of People with Disabilities" targeting people with disabilities. This is the fifth installment of a six-month continuous survey, conducted in anticipation of the legal employment rate increase (2.5% to 2.7%) in July 2026.

Key Survey Findings (Excerpts)

64.6% of remote workers responded that they would "consider changing jobs/resigning or find it difficult to continue working if remote work were abolished." Remote work has gone beyond being "convenient if available" and has become a prerequisite for continuing employment.

When asked about their actions if remote work were restricted or abolished, 48 current remote workers responded. "Consider changing jobs/resigning" (39.6%) and "Would not consider it, but would find it difficult to continue working" (25.0%) combined to reach 64.6%. Only 29.2% stated they would "Switch to commuting and continue working."

▲ Actions if Remote Work is Restricted or Abolished

Only 37.2%. Only one in three people are working remotely, and about half (49.6%) of those choosing a workplace "did not consider remote work as an option."

While remote work is an important condition for some, the reality is that many individuals are not even in a position to choose it.

▲ Frequency of Current Remote Work

53.5% feel the burden of increased commuting. "Commuting has increased compared to two years ago" (14.0%) exceeded "decreased" (11.6%), and the burden of a gradual return to the office is concentrated on commuting and physical condition.

The impacts of increased commuting include "physical burden from commuting" (36.4%), "increased commuting time" (31.0%), and "difficulty controlling physical condition/symptoms" (25.6%) as the top responses. A certain number of individuals find commuting itself to be a burden directly related to their disability characteristics, and the movement towards returning to the office is disproportionately affecting this group.

▲ Burden/Impact of Increased Commuting (Multiple Answers)

While 60.4% feel a difference between remote job openings in rural and urban areas, 73.0% of remote workers feel that "an environment where they can work regardless of region has expanded." The gap between expectations and reality is evident.

Although there is a sense that remote work is easing geographical constraints, the regional disparity in job openings themselves still remains.

Voices from Individuals (Excerpts from Free Descriptions)

"My current workplace is 100% remote, so commuting and interpersonal burdens are eliminated, and my performance has improved. I wish people wouldn't think 'people with disabilities shouldn't be coddled,' and instead focus on the potential to perform well precisely because of remote work." (30s, Male, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD))

"They say remote work is fine, but then they talk about work based on commuting. And decisions are made arbitrarily." (50s, Female, Hearing Impairment)

"The number of job openings drastically decreases at the point of disability employment, and if it's full remote, it becomes a very narrow gate. I'm looking for a job but not getting hired at all." (30s, Female, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD))

Views from the Institute for Comprehensive Disability Employment Support (Summary)

Remote work can be a condition that directly impacts employment opportunities for people with disabilities by removing commuting barriers and allowing them to work in accordance with fluctuations in their physical condition. Instead of uniformly reducing remote work in the trend of returning to the office, it is important to leave room for choice according to the individual characteristics and circumstances of each person. At the same time, issues such as anxiety about evaluation and isolation have been confirmed, and when introducing remote work, it is necessary to simultaneously establish systems for evaluation, instruction, and communication.

Details of Survey Results, Voices from Individuals, and Institute's Views Available on note

All seven survey results (with graphs), free descriptions from individuals, and the views of the Institute for Comprehensive Disability Employment Support can be found in the following report. Full Report of Continuous Survey Vol. 5 (note)

Survey Overview

Survey Name: Online Survey on Remote Work and Employment of People with Disabilities (Continuous Survey Vol. 5)

Target Audience: Survey Monitors of the Institute for Comprehensive Disability Employment Support

Survey Method: Internet Survey

Survey Period: June 12, 2026 - June 19, 2026

Valid Responses: 131

* The response base varies depending on the question. Some questions regarding remote work used 48 remote workers as the base number.

General Partners Co., Ltd.

Established in 2003 as a recruitment agency specializing in people with disabilities. Since then, the company has expanded its business to include a "job search/career change site," "employment transition support services," and "agricultural production by people with employment difficulties." To date, over 5,000 people with disabilities have found employment or changed jobs. The "Institute for Comprehensive Disability Employment Support," which gathers and disseminates information and voices from individuals regarding disability employment and other topics, and "Media116," a media outlet for people with disabilities run by individuals, also provide information.

Company Name: General Partners Co., Ltd. Head Office Location: 9F Iino Building, 2-1-1 Uchisaiwai-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0011 Representative: Hitoshi Shindo, President and Representative Director Date of Establishment: April 2003 URL: http://www.generalpartners.co.jp/ Business Activities: Recruitment services specializing in people with disabilities, job information services, education/training services, agricultural production, research/investigation institutions, etc. * "Stories" related to General Partners, including daily events, founding stories, and employees' passion for their work, are updated on talentbook! https://www.talent-book.jp/generalpartners/stories

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