Yuai Gakuen Social Welfare Corporation Introduces Muscle Suits, Achieving Both Reduced Physical Strain and Employment Support

Innophys Co., Ltd. (Hachioji, Tokyo; President: Naotaka Otokawa), a startup from the Tokyo University of Science that manufactures and sells assist suits, delivered the assist suit 'Muscle Suit Exo-Power®' to the Ome Welfare Workshop of the Yuai Gakuen Social Welfare Corporation in February 2026. ■ Current Situation of Daycare Facilities for People with Disabilities Requiring Both Job Creation and Physical Strain Reduction Daycare facilities for people with disabilities provide employment opportunities to individuals who have difficulty finding general employment through commissioned work from companies, supporting their motivation to work and social participation. These initiatives play an important role as a foundation for supporting independence in the community. On the other hand, many tasks involve physical strain, such as recycling work and disassembling/transporting materials, and the types of tasks that can be handled depending on physical strength and physical conditions are often limited. Therefore, expanding the range of tasks that can be handled while reducing the physical burden is a challenge. Furthermore, the statutory employment rate for people with disabilities in private enterprises is scheduled to be raised from 2.5% to 2.7% in July 2026 (*), and the number of companies subject to employing people with disabilities is expected to expand further. The working styles and support methods in welfare facilities, including daycare facilities, can serve as a reference for considering the employment of people with disabilities and the improvement of workplace environments in general companies. * Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare 'Overview of the Statutory Employment Rate System' ■ Comment from Takeshi Shimada, Deputy Director and Service Management Supervisor, Ome Welfare Workshop, Yuai Gakuen Social Welfare Corporation Our facility provides employment support where users commute and earn wages through box folding, weeding, and recycling activities. Among these, the disassembling and sorting of water heaters (approx. 30 kg) requires heavy lifting and moving, making the burden on the lower backs of both staff and users a significant issue. In fact, many complained of 'lower back pain,' and some used corsets. Additionally, our facility has users with Down syndrome. Due to their muscle and joint characteristics, heavy labor poses a high risk of physical strain and injury, making safety considerations essential. With the introduction of the Muscle Suit this time, many have reported that movements like bending forward and stretching have become easier. Putting it on is simpler than expected, and it is actively used on a daily basis. We have a wide range of workers from their 20s to 70s, and the on-site reaction has been positive, with a spreading realization that 'work has become easier.' In the welfare field, it is important to prepare a working environment tailored to each individual's characteristics. By utilizing assist suits, not only is physical strain reduced, but individuals can now take on tasks that were previously difficult, and we feel great value in the fact that the range of tasks has expanded. We believe it will become an effective option not only for protecting the body but also as a tool for expanding working possibilities for facilities facing similar challenges. ■ Muscle Suit Exo-Power® An exoskeleton-type assist suit with the maximum assist force in the series. Artificial muscles using compressed air deliver 27kgf of assist force. It reduces the burden on the lower back during heavy lifting and mid-crouching work. It is widely used in various work sites where the burden on the lower back from a mid-crouching posture is significant, such as nursing care, agriculture, fishing, construction, and manufacturing. Product Name: Muscle Suit Exo-Power® Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price: 214,500 yen (including tax) Sizes: S size (150cm - 165cm), M size (160cm - 185cm) * 'Muscle Suit' is a registered trademark of Innophys Co., Ltd. Innophys opened the 'Kagurazaka Showroom' in May 2025, a showroom where visitors can experience and consult about the 'Muscle Suit' series, assist suits from other companies, and logistics solutions.