Work-related mental illness cases down for first time in three years

June 28, 2019

Tokyo--The number of Japanese people with psychological disorders recognized as work-related fell by 41 from the previous year to 465 in fiscal 2018, the first drop in three years, a labor ministry survey revealed Friday.

Of the total, 76 people committed or attempted to commit suicide, down by 22, the first drop in two years, according to the survey on compensation paid for industrial accidents.

The number of people who applied for such compensation due to mental illness, however, increased by 88 to 1,820, hitting a record high for the sixth consecutive year.

In many causes, such psychological disorders are related to interpersonal relationships, and include bullying and harassment. Such problems are becoming pronounced among women in their 30s and 40s, according to the ministry.

The number of people with heart disease or brain-related conditions recognized as work-related fell by 15 to 238, down for two years in row. Of the total, 82 died, down by 10.

The number of workers who received compensation was notably high in the transportation and postal sector, standing at 94, including 31 who died.

These figures reveal how important it is for improvement to be made in working conditions, especially in regard to long working hours. Jiji Press