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The number of compensation claims for karōshi in Japan reached yet another record — and it’s not a number to be shaken off. The health ministry received 6,212 applications for work-induced death and illness compensation – a record number – in fiscal 2025. Of that number, 1,310 were approved, the fourth consecutive year this number has increased. This is not only a statistics story, as the current administration had its sights set on loosening overtime rules. It’s a labour rights crisis.
Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
| Total compensation requests (FY2025) | 6,212 — record high |
| Approved payouts | 1,310 people |
| Work-related mental disorders recognised | 1,086 — record high |
| Cardiovascular deaths recognized | 224 |
| Consecutive record-breaking years | 4 |
| Overtime trigger threshold | ~80 hours/month (“karōshi line”) |
| Who oversees claims | Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare |
| Filing window | It took only 5 years after the incident for it to be a memory. |
What Is Karōshi — And Why Does It Keep Getting Worse?
The term karōshi (過労死) translates to “death from overwork. It’s not a metaphor — it’s a lawful cause of death and disease in Japan. It includes fatal strokes and heart attacks, and depression resulting from too much overtime work. Now mental health outnumber them: Of the 1,310 approved claims, 1,086 were for psychiatric ailments such as depression and burnout, the biggest number ever.
This is quite hard to overlook in the larger picture. The government of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has indicated it will relax current labour laws and give workers the freedom to work longer hours. But that flies in the face of the health trends, says labour advocates.
Who Qualifies for — And How Does Claiming Work?
Under Japan’s workers’ compensation insurance, workers who develop stroke, heart attack or psychological problems related to their work are eligible. Survivor pensions can be filed by the family members of workers who die, including in some instances when a worker commits suicide as a result of workplace stress.
The unofficial line that reviewers use is the “karōshi line”: 80 hours of overtime a month. Cross that, and the ease of proving a claim increases. Let’s explain it simply:
- Log at the closest Labour Standards Inspection Office
- Provide time logs, medical and job records
- Wait for a government review – approval will open medical costs, disability benefits or payouts for survivors.
Foreign workers are also included. The compensation for Japanese karōshi falls under the jurisdiction of the rules of Japan karōshi compensation that are applicable to all employees in Japan, irrespective of their nationality.
Karōshi vs. Ordinary Burnout: The Legal Line
| Factor | Burnout | Karōshi (Legally Recognised) |
| Overtime level | Any | ~80+ hrs/month before event |
| Health outcome | Fatigue, stress | Cardiac event, mental illness, death, stroke |
| Compensation | None | Yes — through the Labour Ministry. |
| Who can file | — | Labourer/relatives surviving the worker. |
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Find the steps to file an FLSA wage complaint.
Could You Lose Overtime Rights?
See if your weekly pay affects overtime eligibility.
Is Your Employer Breaking Labour Laws?
Uncover the warning signs every worker should know.
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5 Things to Know Before Working Overtime in Japan
- Log your hours. There is no successful claim without overtime being documented.
- Understand the 80-hour rule. The responsibility of your employer increases significantly above this line.
- Mental health counts. Work-related depression and anxiety are covered.
- Families can file. Survivor benefits apply to karōshi deaths, and may be claimed by spouses, children or parents.
- You have 5 years. Claims will only be accepted if the incident happened within the past five years.
FAQs
What is Japan’s karōshi compensation?
Workers’ compensation insurance for employees who work excessively long hours and suffer from work-related injury or die as a result is eligible for Japan karōshi compensation. It includes cardiovascular events, psychiatric morbidity and some suicides.
What are the advantages for a family to have karōshi?
Submit to the Labour Standards Inspection Office along with medical records, time logs and employment records. It is highly recommended to seek legal assistance as appropriate.
Is mental health considered as karōshi?
Yes. Claims approved in fiscal year 2025 exceeded 80% for mental disorders, and the biggest type of claim is occupational depression.
Are foreigners eligible?
Yes. The employment law and payroll system in Japan apply to all workers in Japan irrespective of their nationality.
What is the current maximum amount of overtime?
According to the Work Style Reform Act, employees are allowed to work up to 45 hours per month, but in special cases, it is 100 hours per month (the latter is under discussion in regulations).
