The number of Japanese workers suffering from mental health disorders due to overwork has hit a new record, with 883 cases reported in 2024. This marks an increase of 173 cases from the previous year, according to a whitepaper released by the Japanese government.
The report highlights that the new figures include 79 cases of suicide and attempted suicide, as well as 216 cases of work-related brain and heart conditions, underscoring the severe toll that excessive working hours are taking on employees’ mental health.
Rising Working Hours in Japan
The data comes as Japan’s total annual working hours per employee reached 1,636 in 2023, a three-hour increase compared to the previous year. Full-time employees, in particular, averaged 1,962 hours, while part-time workers logged a total of 952 hours annually.
The report also reveals that 8.4% of workers in Japan are putting in more than 60 hours a week. Industries such as transportation and postal services, which recorded the highest overwork rate at 18.5%, are among the most affected. Other sectors with significant numbers of employees working over 60 hours weekly include accommodation and food services, education and learning support, lifestyle services and entertainment, public services, and construction.
Efforts to Combat the Overwork Culture
Despite the alarming figures, there is some positive news. The report found a slight increase in the average number of paid leave days taken by workers. In 2022, the average employee used 10.9 days of annual paid leave, marking the fourth consecutive year that the figure had remained above 10 days.
Japan has long struggled with a pervasive culture of overwork, known as “karōshi,” which translates to death from overwork. The government has been actively trying to address this issue, with various measures introduced in recent years to improve work-life balance. Last year, Japan’s Health Ministry urged employers to ensure their staff get adequate rest, recommending mandatory minimum hours of sleep and recuperation between shifts.
The latest report highlights the ongoing challenge Japan faces in combating its overwork culture, with mental health issues among workers continuing to rise despite efforts for reform.
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