Perspectives on the Japanese and American systems of vocational rehabilitation.

In today’s global marketplace, the need is greater than ever before for nations around the world to understand each other’s systems of education and work force development. In that endeavor, the growing worldwide effort to include people with disabilities in all aspects of society behooves rehabilitation researchers from different countries to compare and contrast approaches to Vocational Rehabilitation at policy and direct service levels. Never before have scholars in the interdisciplinary field of rehabilitation had so many opportunities to collaborate with fellow scholars from other countries, and globally-minded rehabilitationists can find countless opportunities to share their ideas at international conferences and congresses. Work subscribers have the privilege of reading six issues per year of articles describing current research and best practices across the globe to promote positive employment outcomes, independence, and quality of life for people with disabilities. This special issue provides insights into Vocational Rehabilitation services and disability policy in Japan. Like the dynamic Japanese culture in general, services and supports for people with disabilities in Japan have changed dramatically over the past few decades. The excellent articles in this special issue bear witness to Japan’s innovative and forward-thinking national approach to ensuring that people with disabilities have an accessible and inclusive place in society. The purpose of this article is to highlight selected themes that emerge from the articles in this issue and compare and contrast current Vocational Rehabilitation trends in Japan with current Vocational Rehabilitation trends in the United States. It is a rare privilege to review the work of my friends and colleagues in Japan from my perspective as an American rehabilitation researcher and disability advocate.