Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is moving away from policies aimed at curbing excessive overtime work, a shift that marks a reversal of recent government efforts to address the country’s longstanding issue of overwork-related health problems. The government will no longer pressure businesses to limit monthly overtime to 45 hours, a guideline introduced to reduce the risk of “karoshi,” or death by overwork.
The decision comes amid Japan’s ongoing labor shortages, driven by a shrinking and aging population, and aims to encourage more “flexible” working arrangements. This approach reflects Takaichi’s personal work ethic, as she has openly stated her commitment to relentless work, declaring after assuming leadership of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party that she would “work, work, work, work and work.” She has additionally commented that she has abandoned the goal of achieving a “work-life balance,” claiming to sleep as little as zero to three hours per night, a statement that has drawn surprise even among her supporters.
Japan’s efforts to reduce excessive overtime intensified after several high-profile cases highlighted the severe consequences of overwork. In 2013, Miwa Sado, a 31-year-old reporter for NHK, Japan’s state broadcaster, died from a heart attack after logging 159 hours of overtime. Her tragic death was initially suppressed and only came to public attention three years later following pressure from her family. In another case in 2015, Matsuri Takahashi, a 24-year-old employee of Dentsu, one of the world’s largest advertising agencies, took her own life after consistently working more than 100 hours of overtime monthly.
These incidents prompted the government to issue non-binding guidance to companies, encouraging them to keep overtime within safer limits. Although statutory working hours remain set at eight hours per day and 40 hours per week, around 40 percent of Japanese firms operate under labor regulations that permit up to 100 hours of overtime monthly. Until now, companies have faced unofficial pressure to adhere to the 45-hour guidance.
The recent policy change has sparked criticism from labor organizations. The National Confederation of Trade Unions in Tokyo described the shift as an “unacceptable” rollback of measures that previously encouraged companies to reduce working hours. Meanwhile, government officials argue that the adjustment is necessary to address labor market challenges and promote more adaptable work conditions.
As Japan navigates the competing demands of economic productivity and workers’ health, the government’s stance on overtime regulation remains a contentious issue, reflecting broader debates about work culture and labor rights in the country.