Aug 5, 2025
Of the 1,304 recognized cases of deaths and health disorders related to overwork in Japan, more than 1,000 involved mental health issues.
According to data compiled by Japanâs Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare, there were 1,304 recognized cases of overwork-related deaths (karÅshi) and health disorders in fiscal 2024, up 196 year on year. Of these, 247 involved strokes or heart conditions, and 1,057 depression and other mental health disorders. This is the first time that more than 1,000 cases of work-related mental health disorders have been recognized. Among these, 89 involved suicide or attempted suicide.
Power Harassment the Most Common Cause
In the breakdown of the 1,055 cases of mental health disorders that were recognized as work-related, the most common cause was âabuse of power from superiors or othersâ accounting for 224 cases, followed by âmajor change in duties or amount of workâ at 119, âcustomer harassmentâ (abusive behavior by customers or business clients) at 108, âsexual harassmentâ at 105, and âexperiencing or witnessing tragic accidents or disasters in relation to workâ at 87.
By gender, there were 552 men and 503 women, while over 90% were aged from 20 to 59. Those in their forties made up the largest group at 283, but no single age group stood out significantly.
By industry, the highest number of cases was in âhealthcare and welfareâ at 270, followed by âmanufacturingâ at 161, âwholesale and retailâ at 120, âtransportation and postal servicesâ with 110, and âconstructionâ at 81.
Data Sources
(Translated from Japanese. Banner photo © Pixta.)