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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