Toileting Beyond Diapers: Three Equipment Categories and Insurance Purchase Assistance [2026 Guide]

English translation of an article originally published in Japanese on May 25, 2019. Read the Japanese original (Japanese). Product information and dates refer to the original article. Images and manufacturer videos may contain Japanese.

This article introduces toileting-related specified welfare equipment eligible for purchase assistance under Japan’s long-term care insurance. Review the differences between toilet seating aids, replaceable components of automatic urine and stool collection devices, and urination-prediction support devices, together with purchase precautions. Before buying, consult your municipality, care manager, or welfare equipment specialist about eligibility.

What is specified welfare equipment?

The specified welfare equipment sales scheme provides purchase assistance under long-term care insurance for equipment unsuitable for rental, including bathing and toileting aids. Buy from a designated supplier and apply to the municipality.

Nine eligible categories

For fixed ramps, walking frames excluding wheeled walkers, and single-point canes excluding crutches or multi-point canes, users may choose rental or purchase. Receive an explanation from a care manager or welfare equipment specialist and decide according to physical condition, expected duration of use, and other circumstances.

Specified welfare equipment for toileting

The three main purchase-assistance categories related to toilets and toileting are toilet seating aids, replaceable components of automatic urine and stool collection devices, and urination-prediction support devices.

Toilet seating aids

Toilet seating aids include the following four types. Choose according to the user’s physical condition and installation location.

Raised toilet seats

Used when the seat of a Western-style toilet is low, making sitting and standing demanding. Fitted on top of the toilet to raise the seating height. Check ease of sitting and standing, and choose a height at which the feet reach the floor.

Toilet seat lifts

Used when raising seat height alone does not make standing possible and assistance from a moving seat is needed. Electric or spring-powered mechanisms raise and lower the seat to assist standing. Check toilet compatibility and operating methods.

Reference Toilet LiftTOTO official website

Seats that convert squat toilets for seated use

Placed over a Japanese-style squat toilet so it can be used while seated. For building work to replace the toilet itself with a Western-style toilet, check the home modification assistance scheme.

Home adaptations for toileting: toilet modifications and long-term care insurance [2026]

Bedside commodes

Movable toilets used in the living or sleeping room when reaching the toilet is difficult. Check placement, seat height, ease of transfer, and cleanup methods.

Choosing and Using a Bedside Commode Without Relying Only on Diapers [2026 Guide]

Replaceable components of automatic urine and stool collection devices

The main unit of an automatic urine and stool collection device is eligible for welfare equipment rental. Receptacles, tubes, tanks, and other components through which urine and stool pass, and which the user or caregiver can easily replace, are eligible for specified welfare equipment purchase assistance. Check eligible components for each product.

Automatic excretion processing devices: types, rental and precautions [2026]

Urination-prediction support devices

These devices sense the bladder’s condition to estimate urine volume and notify the person or caregiver when it is time to urinate. Consult a welfare equipment specialist or the healthcare and care staff involved to determine whether the device suits the user.

Reference DFreeDFree Inc. official website

Precautions for specified welfare equipment

Purchase costs eligible up to ¥100,000 per fiscal year

Purchase costs eligible for long-term care insurance assistance are limited to a total of ¥100,000 in the same fiscal year, from April 1 to March 31 of the following year. Even within this limit, the user pays 10–30% according to income and other factors. Any amount over ¥100,000 is paid entirely by the user. In principle, the full cost is paid initially and the insured portion reimbursed after application to the municipality. For example, someone with a 10% copayment who first buys ¥100,000 of eligible equipment that fiscal year receives ¥90,000, leaving an effective personal cost of ¥10,000.

Repeat purchases in the same category are generally ineligible

Buying equipment from a category already purchased is generally ineligible for benefits. Exceptions may apply when the municipality recognizes special circumstances, such as equipment damage or a substantial change in care needs. Check before buying.

Buy from a designated supplier

The purchase must be made from a supplier designated for specified welfare equipment sales. Before buying, check eligible products and application procedures with the supplier and municipality.

For eligible equipment categories and application procedures, also see the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s “Welfare Equipment and Home Modifications”.

Hiroshi Yagi

Specified welfare equipment includes more than toileting products. Consult a care manager or welfare equipment specialist before buying.