2025.10.06
KINTO Launches Wheelchair Accessible Car Leasing Subscription in Japan
KINTO Corporation has launched a new "Welfare Vehicle Subscription" (福祉車両サブスク) service in Japan, making wheelchair accessible cars available through a flexible monthly leasing model for the first time within the KINTO ecosystem.
Background
In Japan, the demand for welfare vehicles — cars equipped with features such as wheelchair ramps, rotating seats, and lift-up passenger seats — has been growing steadily as the country's aging population increases. However, the process of obtaining a welfare vehicle in Japan has traditionally been complex, involving long wait times, high upfront costs, and limited flexibility.
KINTO identified that many Japanese families and caregivers need wheelchair accessible vehicles for varying periods — sometimes temporarily during recovery from injury or illness, and sometimes as a longer-term solution for elderly family members. Traditional car purchasing or standard leasing contracts did not adequately serve these needs.
Service Overview
The new Welfare Vehicle Subscription is offered separately from KINTO's existing KINTO ONE car subscription service and is specifically designed for customers in Japan who require wheelchair accessible or mobility-adapted vehicles. For more details, visit the KINTO Care welfare vehicle subscription page (Japanese).
Key Features
- Monthly subscription: Customers in Japan can lease a wheelchair accessible vehicle on a month-to-month basis, with no long-term commitment required
- No deposit required: Unlike traditional welfare vehicle purchases or leases in Japan, there is no upfront application fee or deposit
- No early termination fee: Subscribers can return the vehicle at any time without penalty, providing maximum flexibility for changing mobility needs
- All-inclusive pricing: The monthly fee covers insurance, maintenance, and vehicle tax — matching the hassle-free approach of KINTO ONE
Available Vehicle Types
The service offers Toyota welfare vehicles (福祉車両) available in Japan, including models equipped with features from UPGRADE SELECTIONS by KINTO FACTORY:
- Wheelchair ramp-equipped vehicles — featuring rear-entry ramps for easy wheelchair loading
- Rotating and sliding seats — allowing passengers with limited mobility to enter and exit the vehicle more easily
- Lift-up passenger seats — seats that rotate and lower to the outside of the vehicle for easier access
Why This Matters for Japan
Japan has one of the world's fastest-aging populations. According to government statistics, over 29% of Japan's population is aged 65 or older, and the number of people requiring nursing care or mobility assistance continues to rise each year.
Despite this growing need, welfare vehicles have remained relatively difficult to access in Japan due to:
- High purchase prices — wheelchair accessible modifications add significant cost to the base vehicle price
- Long delivery times — custom-ordered welfare vehicles in Japan can take several months to deliver
- Inflexible ownership models — buying or entering a multi-year lease may not suit families whose mobility needs change over time
KINTO's welfare vehicle subscription service addresses all three of these barriers, making wheelchair accessible cars in Japan more accessible to the people who need them most.
KINTO's Commitment to Inclusive Mobility in Japan
This launch aligns with KINTO's broader mission of "Ever Better Mobility for All" — ensuring that mobility solutions are available not just for mainstream drivers but for all people, regardless of physical ability or circumstance.
By extending its subscription model to welfare vehicles in Japan, KINTO is taking a meaningful step toward inclusive mobility, removing financial and logistical barriers that have historically limited access to wheelchair accessible transportation in Japan.
This article is the English version of the original Japanese service announcement published by KINTO Corporation. View the original at corp.kinto-jp.com.