The term karōshi, which means in Japanese “Death by overtaking work”, refers to deaths caused by overwork in one’s job. These deaths are mainly caused by cardiac arrests, strokes or suicides, as a result of excess stress and unreasonable amount of work.
These work accidents have long been seen as a purely Japanese cultural curiosity, raconte Wired. In the 90s, explains the sociologist specializing in the question Junko Kitanaka, academics in Europe and North America had a hard time understanding why executives in the prime of their lives could die from excess work without reacting.
Only, continues Wired, a recent study by the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that deaths from stroke or heart problems as a result of overwork are not specific to Japan, but are indeed a global phenomenon.
According to the study, more than 745,000 people worldwide have died from stroke or ischemic heart disease linked to long hours at work, a figure up 29% since 2000.
Dangerous after 55 hours
Worse: with the pandemic, this trend is accelerating. The number of people working long hours is increasing and “Currently represents 9% of the total world population”, explains the study. In question, the border between home and work blurred by teleworking, as well as companies where part of the work force has interrupted its activity, increasing the burden of those still in post.
According to Dr Maria Neira, Director of the Environment, Climate Change and Health Department at WHO, “Working 55 hours or more per week is a serious health hazard”. Indeed, at 55 hours or more, the risk of stroke increases by 35% and that of ischemic heart disease by 17%.
In Japan, if everyone is now aware of this danger to public health, the country is reluctant to establish too strict safeguards. Since April 2019, the government has imposed a maximum limit on overtime, but it is 100 hours per month.
This measure is considered largely insufficient by anti-karōshi activists. For Makoto Iwahashi, of the Japanese association for workers’ rights POSSE, “The government tells us’ If you work that much you could die – but you can work that much” ”.
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