#Workplacestress

Japan has officially recognized an unprecedented number of overwork-related deaths and health disorders in fiscal year 2024, according to the latest data released by the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare. The ministry reported 1,304 government-recognized cases of so-called “karoshi” (death from overwork), representing a year-on-year increase of 196 cases. This surge sets a new record for work-related deaths and health issues in Japan—most of them involving strokes, heart conditions, depression, and other mental disorders, with the majority of the cases categorized as mental health disorders (nippon.com). Notably, this marks the first time Japan has reached over 1,000 officially recognized work-related mental health disorder cases in a single year—a stark warning for both policymakers and employers.

A devastating mental health crisis has engulfed Japan’s workforce, with official government data revealing the highest number of recognized overwork deaths and disorders ever recorded in the nation’s history. The Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare has confirmed 1,304 cases of “karoshi”—literally meaning death from overwork—during fiscal year 2024, marking a shocking 196-case increase from the previous year. This unprecedented surge represents far more than statistical concern; it signals a fundamental breakdown in workplace safety that has transformed Japan’s corporate culture into a lethal environment for millions of workers.

A dire mental health crisis in Japan’s workforce has reached a historic peak, with official data showing more recognized cases of overwork-related death and disorders than ever before. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare confirmed 1,304 karoshi cases in fiscal year 2024, a rise of 196 from the previous year. This is not merely a statistic; it signals a fundamental strain in workplace safety and a culture that has, at times, valued productivity over personal wellbeing.

A quiet revolution is reshaping screens across Asia: Korean dramas, or K-dramas, are boldly reclaiming mental health narratives, breaking longstanding stigmas and fostering new conversations. Once shadowed by shame and silence, topics such as depression, anxiety, autism, and workplace stress are now portrayed with empathy and nuance in prime-time Korean series—offering hope, healing, and representation to millions of viewers across the region, including Thailand.

For decades, mental health themes were largely absent or misrepresented in Asian popular culture. K-dramas, long a staple among Thai audiences for their romance and family conflicts, were no exception. Societal attitudes in South Korea placed mental health on the far side of taboos, rarely discussed openly, let alone explored on television. But as understanding of mental wellness expanded globally, content creators in Korea began to tackle these sensitive topics head-on, blending storytelling with therapeutic insight.

K-dramas are quietly redefining how mental health is portrayed in Asia. They now address depression, anxiety, autism, and workplace stress with empathy and nuance. In prime-time, these topics are explored openly, offering hope and representation for viewers in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and beyond.

Historically, mental health was often misrepresented in Asian media. Thai audiences know K-dramas for romance and family sagas, while South Korea’s attitudes toward mental health have long been complex. Today, writers and directors weave wellness into engaging stories that educate without sacrificing entertainment.

A new study from University of Arizona Health Sciences highlights important, previously underexplored risks for women in firefighting: PTSD and anxiety may affect reproductive health. The research is among the first to examine how psychosocial health intersects with reproductive outcomes in female first responders, underscoring the need for better understanding and support in a field historically dominated by men.

For Thai readers, this matters as Thailand sees a growing number of female first responders. Firefighting hazards have long focused on fire, smoke, and physical danger. As more Thai women join emergency response teams in Bangkok and across the country, attention is turning to mental health and its possible long-term impact on family wellbeing.

Recent research from the University of Arizona Health Sciences has shed new light on the hidden dangers faced by women working in fire services: exposure to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety may be harming their reproductive health. The study, one of the first to investigate psychosocial health and its intersection with reproductive outcomes in this group, highlights an urgent need for greater understanding and support within a profession long dominated by men.

A new global study by AXA in collaboration with IPSOS finds that mental health challenges are rising among workers across 16 countries, including Thailand. The report shows stress, anxiety, and burnout have become common in modern workplaces, affecting both individual well-being and organizational performance.

Across the surveyed nations, about one in three workers report experiencing at least one mental health condition. Depression and anxiety are the most frequently cited issues, influenced by financial instability, job insecurity, and constant negative news. Additional pressures such as climate concerns and digital threats contribute to a broader sense of vulnerability. The term “eco-anxiety” has been used by executives to describe this growing stress layer.