What is Karoshi?
Karoshi, or death from overwork, is a tragic phenomenon that has claimed hundreds of lives annually in Japan. It occurs when excessive working hours and stress lead to sudden death, often from heart attack or stroke. But at what point does the risk of karoshi become dangerously high? And is this issue unique to Japan?
The “Karoshi Line”: When Work Becomes Deadly
Japanese health officials have identified a “karoshi line” – the threshold at which the risk of death from overwork rises significantly:
- Monthly overtime exceeding 80 hours
- 45+ hours of overtime for 2-6 consecutive months
However, these are just guidelines. Individual health factors mean karoshi can occur even with fewer working hours in stressful conditions.
A Global Epidemic of Overwork
While the term originated in Japan, death from overwork is a growing concern worldwide:
- South Korea: Known as an “overwork society”, with recent laws reducing maximum weekly hours from 68 to 52
- China: The grueling “996” work culture (9am-9pm, 6 days a week) has faced backlash
- Western nations: Generally stronger work-life balance, but overwork still occurs
Japan’s Battle Against Karoshi
Japan has taken steps to combat karoshi, including:
- 2014 Act on Promotion of Preventive Measures against Karoshi
- 2019 Work Style Reform Legislation capping overtime hours
However, challenges remain in changing corporate culture and worker attitudes that value long hours over efficiency.
The Path Forward
Preventing karoshi requires action on multiple fronts:
- Companies must manage working hours and create healthier environments
- Workers need to prioritize work-life balance and their own health
- Societies must foster cultures that value productivity over mere presence at work
By raising awareness and taking concrete steps, we can create a world where people can work productively without sacrificing their lives to overwork.
