Current Status and Issues of the Employment of Persons with Disabilities in Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises in Rural Areas of Japan: A Survey from Business Owners’ Perspectives

This study examines the employment of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in small- and medi-um-sized enterprises (SMEs) in rural Japan. An online survey of 40 SME owners was conducted to assess their understanding, experiences, and challenges in employing PWDs. Results indicate that many SMEs lack awareness of employment systems, but those with prior contact experience demonstrate greater understanding. Key challenges include difficulties in job creation, workplace acceptance, and inadequate environments. To address these issues, it is essential to enhance in-formation on job creation, share successful cases, and establish mentoring systems for knowledge exchange between SMEs. These findings provide insights for policy development and practical strategies to promote PWD employment in SMEs.