Photo/Illutration The building housing the labor ministry (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

Workers’ compensation cases for deaths and illnesses caused by overwork or work-related stress hit an all-time high in fiscal 2024, according to labor ministry data released on June 25.

A record 4,810 claims were filed, 212 more than in the previous fiscal year, of which a record 1,304 were certified, which was 196 more than the fiscal year prior.

The increase in the number of certified cases is believed to be partly due to the increase in the number of claims filed.

“This may be due in part to the fact the threshold for filing a workers’ compensation claim has been lowered,” a ministry official said.

The ministry data defines a “death or illness caused by overwork or work stress” as a case in which a brain or heart disease has been caused by overwork, or a mental disorder has been caused by psychological stress.

MENTAL ILLNESS CLAIMS RISE

The increase in cases of depression and other mental disorders was particularly marked.

A record number of 3,780 cases were filed for workers’ compensation due to mental distress in fiscal 2024. Of these, 1,055 cases were approved, 88 of which involved suicides or attempted suicides, exceeding 1,000 for the first time.

Women made up 48 percent of the cases that were certified.

By age, people in their 40s accounted for the largest number of work-related accident cases for mental disorders with 283, followed by people in their 30s with 245, and those in their 20s with 243.

Power harassment was the most common cause with 224 cases, followed by major changes in work content or workload at 119 cases.

Customer harassment was also cited as a cause in 108 cases, while sexual harassment was cited in 105 cases.

By industry, medical and welfare workers accounted for 26 percent with 270 cases, followed by those in manufacturing at 161 and wholesale and retail with 120.

PHYSICAL INJURY CLAIMS ALMOST ALL MEN

In addition, 241 cases of stroke, heart attack, and other brain and heart diseases were certified as occupational injuries, including 67 deaths. Ninety-five percent of the certified injury cases involved men.

By age group, 54 percent were in their 50s, with 129 cases.

By industry, transportation and postal industry workers with 88 cases accounted for 37 percent.

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