Understanding Overwork in Japan: Evidence from Workers’ Compensation Cases of Overwork-Related Disorders
Details
| Type | Lecture |
|---|---|
| Intended for | General public / Enrolled students / Applying students / International students / Alumni / Companies / Elementary school students / Junior high school students / High school students / Technical college students / University students / Academic and Administrative Staff |
| Date(s) | November 24, 2026 18:00 — 19:00 |
| Location | Online |
| Venue | Online (Zoom Webinar) |
| Entrance Fee | No charge |
| Registration Method | Advance registration required
Please register on the application page below: https://glif.ga.a.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/events/822/ |
| Registration Period | November 2, 2026 — November 24, 2026 |
| Contact | Mail: contact-group@g.ecc.u-tokyo.ac.jp |
Overwork remains a major social concern in Japan, contributing to serious health problems, including cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases and work-related mental disorders. This seminar examines the realities and underlying causes of overwork through analyses of workers’ compensation cases involving these conditions, including both fatal and non-fatal cases.
Drawing on administrative records prepared during the workers’ compensation process, the seminar explores working conditions that cannot be fully understood by examining working hours alone.
Particular attention is paid to consecutive working days, night work, and irregular work schedules that limit opportunities for rest. The seminar also examines cases of work-related mental disorders involving long working hours, focusing on how excessive workloads, interpersonal relationships in the workplace, job responsibilities, and other work-related demands may combine to create additional burdens on workers.
Based on these analyses, the seminar discusses challenges in preventing overwork, with particular attention to workplace conditions, the organizational and operational circumstances contributing to excessive work demands, and the management of working hours.
Drawing on administrative records prepared during the workers’ compensation process, the seminar explores working conditions that cannot be fully understood by examining working hours alone.
Particular attention is paid to consecutive working days, night work, and irregular work schedules that limit opportunities for rest. The seminar also examines cases of work-related mental disorders involving long working hours, focusing on how excessive workloads, interpersonal relationships in the workplace, job responsibilities, and other work-related demands may combine to create additional burdens on workers.
Based on these analyses, the seminar discusses challenges in preventing overwork, with particular attention to workplace conditions, the organizational and operational circumstances contributing to excessive work demands, and the management of working hours.
