My thoughts on Japan's latest overwork figures

The company I work for here in Japan is pretty chill, with a nice mix of both foreigners and Japanese nationals. Perhaps because of that more global perspective, my experiences have been pretty good, but I know that isn't the case for everyone's Japan work life.

Not everyone's work life in Japan is rosy...

Stories about long hours and workplace stress have been part of Japan's reputation for years, and new government figures suggest the problem hasn't gone away. In fiscal 2025, a record 1,310 people received government compensation for illnesses or deaths linked to overwork, and more than 1,000 of those cases involved work-related mental health conditions such as depression.

What struck me most wasn't just the numbers, but the reasons behind them. Problems with bosses were the biggest trigger for mental health claims, followed by workplace harassment and sudden increases in workload.

I've had terrible bosses in Australia too, so difficult managers certainly aren't unique to Japan. But I do wonder if they can feel harder to deal with here because the workplace culture often places such a strong emphasis on perseverance and not inconveniencing others. Taking leave, pushing back on unrealistic workloads or simply saying "no" can feel much more difficult than it does in Australia, where "chucking a sickie" or speaking up is (for better or worse) a much more accepted part of workplace culture.

It's also a reminder that there's no single "Japanese work culture." Some companies are making genuine efforts to improve work-life balance, while others are clearly still struggling. For expats thinking about working in Japan, I think it's a good reminder that your experience often comes down to your company, your manager, and your industry. These latest figures show there's still plenty of room for change, but they don't tell the whole story.