Karoshi (Japanese: 過労死, Hepburn: Karōshi), which can be translated into "overwork death", is a Japanese term relating to occupation-related sudden death.[1]
The most common medical causes of karoshi deaths are heart attacks and strokes due to stress and malnourishment or fasting. Mental stress from the workplace can also cause workers to commit suicide in a phenomenon known as karōjisatsu (過労自殺).[1]
Karoshi is also widespread in other parts of Asia. Generally, deaths from overwork are a worldwide occurrence. For example, over 770 wage labourers die of overwork annually in Sweden, a country with robust labour regulations. The death toll is, however, expected to increase in the future.[2][3][4][5]
- ^ a b "Case Study: Karoshi: Death from overwork". 2013-04-23.
- ^ Söderqvist, Jonna (May 28, 2019). "Över 770 svenskar dör av stress varje år". Arbetarskydd.
- ^ Sjöström, Anna (May 30, 2019). "Allt fler dör till följd av arbetsrelaterad stress". Byggvärlden.
- ^ Apel Röstlund, Johan (May 29, 2019). "500 arbetare dör av jobbstress varje år". Arbetaren.
- ^ Persson, Karin (October 23, 2019). "Lek med döden – jobbstressen kan leda till fler dödsfall". Akademikern.