[Utsunomiya City] Tackling the Issue of a 35% Surge in Mental Disability Handbook Holders Over 5 Years. "Employment Transition IT School Utsunomiya" Opens to Realize Social Return with a "96% Post-Employment Retention Rate"!
Mental Health Lab Co., Ltd. has opened an IT-focused employment transition school in Utsunomiya City to support the rapidly increasing number of people with mental disabilities to return to society.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 7, 2026 at 21:50
- 🔍 Collected: April 7, 2026 at 13:30
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 21:45 (320h 15m after Collected)
Mental Health Lab Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, CEO: Kazuaki Kotoku), which develops employment support projects for people with depression and developmental disorders (Employment Transition IT School, Independent Training IT Rework), opened the "Employment Transition IT School Utsunomiya" in Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture, in April 2026.
In Utsunomiya City, the number of people holding a Mental Disability Health and Welfare Handbook, which targets people with mental and developmental disabilities, has increased by 34.8% (from 3,946 to 5,321) over the five years from 2018 to 2022 (*1). By providing highly demanded IT skill acquisition and employment support boasting an industry-leading retention rate of 96%, our company will support people who have difficulties with their mental health or development and who have anxiety about employment to return to society and work in a way that suits them.
■ Background of Opening: Rapid Increase of Disability Handbook Holders and Increase in the Proportion of Grade 2 Holders in Utsunomiya City. Establishing a Base to Prevent Disabilities from Stagnating Careers.
According to the "6th Utsunomiya City Welfare Plan for Persons with Disabilities (February 2024)" published by Utsunomiya City, the number of Mental Disability Health and Welfare Handbook holders has increased from 3,946 in 2018 to 5,321 in 2022, showing a high increase rate of +34.8%.
What is particularly noteworthy is the high growth rate of Grade 2 handbook holders, who are considered to have "significant difficulties in daily life," and they now account for approximately 60% of all handbook holders. The increase in the number of Grade 2 holders, who have major difficulties in daily life, indicates a need for more generous and practical support in finding employment and forming future careers. However, within the framework of conventional welfare services, the goal often tends to be simply "being able to work," and it cannot be said that the environment is sufficient to envision "career advancement" or "self-realization" beyond that. Going beyond the framework of "employment" in conventional welfare services, we set our mission as "realizing a society without lines drawn by disabilities."
IT skills, which can provide value by overcoming physical and psychological barriers, are one of the most effective means to rectify the gap in opportunities caused by the presence or absence of disabilities. The "Employment Transition IT School Utsunomiya" supports people facing difficulties due to disabilities to transform from being subjects of welfare protection to active agents generating social value by providing opportunities to acquire IT skills with high market value. Diverse human resources will participate in society by utilizing their individual characteristics and using acquired IT skills as weapons. Through this business, we will contribute to building an inclusive social model where everyone can thrive in their own way.
■ 3 Features of "Employment Transition IT School Utsunomiya"
(Images omitted: Average workplace retention rate of graduates of Employment Transition IT School)
In Utsunomiya City, the number of people holding a Mental Disability Health and Welfare Handbook, which targets people with mental and developmental disabilities, has increased by 34.8% (from 3,946 to 5,321) over the five years from 2018 to 2022 (*1). By providing highly demanded IT skill acquisition and employment support boasting an industry-leading retention rate of 96%, our company will support people who have difficulties with their mental health or development and who have anxiety about employment to return to society and work in a way that suits them.
■ Background of Opening: Rapid Increase of Disability Handbook Holders and Increase in the Proportion of Grade 2 Holders in Utsunomiya City. Establishing a Base to Prevent Disabilities from Stagnating Careers.
According to the "6th Utsunomiya City Welfare Plan for Persons with Disabilities (February 2024)" published by Utsunomiya City, the number of Mental Disability Health and Welfare Handbook holders has increased from 3,946 in 2018 to 5,321 in 2022, showing a high increase rate of +34.8%.
What is particularly noteworthy is the high growth rate of Grade 2 handbook holders, who are considered to have "significant difficulties in daily life," and they now account for approximately 60% of all handbook holders. The increase in the number of Grade 2 holders, who have major difficulties in daily life, indicates a need for more generous and practical support in finding employment and forming future careers. However, within the framework of conventional welfare services, the goal often tends to be simply "being able to work," and it cannot be said that the environment is sufficient to envision "career advancement" or "self-realization" beyond that. Going beyond the framework of "employment" in conventional welfare services, we set our mission as "realizing a society without lines drawn by disabilities."
IT skills, which can provide value by overcoming physical and psychological barriers, are one of the most effective means to rectify the gap in opportunities caused by the presence or absence of disabilities. The "Employment Transition IT School Utsunomiya" supports people facing difficulties due to disabilities to transform from being subjects of welfare protection to active agents generating social value by providing opportunities to acquire IT skills with high market value. Diverse human resources will participate in society by utilizing their individual characteristics and using acquired IT skills as weapons. Through this business, we will contribute to building an inclusive social model where everyone can thrive in their own way.
■ 3 Features of "Employment Transition IT School Utsunomiya"
(Images omitted: Average workplace retention rate of graduates of Employment Transition IT School)
FAQ
What company opened the Employment Transition IT School Utsunomiya in April 2026 and where is its headquarters located?
Mental Health Lab Co., Ltd. opened the Employment Transition IT School Utsunomiya in April 2026, and its headquarters is located in Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo.
By what percentage did the number of Mental Disability Health and Welfare Handbook holders increase in Utsunomiya City between 2018 and 2022?
The number of Mental Disability Health and Welfare Handbook holders in Utsunomiya City increased by 34.8% from 3,946 in 2018 to 5,321 in 2022.
What is the post-employment retention rate claimed by Mental Health Lab Co., Ltd. for its employment support programs?
Mental Health Lab Co., Ltd. claims a 96% post-employment retention rate for its employment support programs, including the Employment Transition IT School.
What does the 6th Utsunomiya City Welfare Plan for Persons with Disabilities published in February 2024 reveal about Grade 2 handbook holders?
The 6th Utsunomiya City Welfare Plan for Persons with Disabilities published in February 2024 states that Grade 2 handbook holders now account for approximately 60% of all holders.
What type of skills and support does the Employment Transition IT School Utsunomiya aim to provide to individuals with mental health or developmental challenges?
The Employment Transition IT School Utsunomiya provides IT skill acquisition and employment support to help individuals with mental health or developmental challenges return to work successfully.