The number of people who received government compensation for death and illnesses related to overwork hit a record 1,310 in fiscal 2025, the health ministry said Wednesday.
The latest figure, up slightly from the previous year’s record-setting 1,305, marks the fourth straight year the record has been broken. It points to worsening health conditions among the nation’s workers, and comes amid plans by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s administration to ease labor regulations to allow room for longer working hours.?
Of the total, 1,086 people were recognized by the government as having work-related mental disorders, including depression, also hitting a record high, according to the ministry. The remaining 224 were recognized as having had work-related strokes and heart attacks, the ministry said.
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