Jennifer Mendoza
Research expert covering health, pharma and medtech
Mental health in Japan - statistics & facts
Japan continues to have one of the highest鈥suicide鈥痳ates among OECD countries. Since the economic slump in the 1990s, multiple mental health-related social issues have emerged in Japan.鈥Karoshi鈥(deaths and suicides from overwork),鈥hikikomori鈥(people who lock themselves in at home to shut out social contacts), and long-term absentees at schools are the most frequently cited mental and social problems. In 2023, most patients who received treatments for mental and behavioral disorders had schizophrenia or delusional disorder, followed by mood disorders such as manic depression. For patients with lasting illnesses, the government issues a disability certificate and provides aid for medical expenses and tax reduction. Almost 1.45 million鈥mental disability certificates were issued鈥痑s of 2023.
To improve health management in the workplace, the government acknowledges companies with outstanding physical and mental health management of employees every year. The government also requires all employers with 50 or more employees to conduct stress level assessments once each year.
In addition to psychiatrists engaged in psychiatric hospitals and other medical facilities, two types of licensed mental health counselors exist at present: clinical psychologists and public psychologists. Both can currently work in the field of medicine, education, social welfare, and jurisdiction. However, the distinction between the two types is not clearly specified yet.
Japan has a high suicide rate and a rising incidence of mental illness due to work-related stress. At the same time, the barrier to seeking medical help is high, partly due to peer pressure not to be a burden to others. Educational efforts are needed to raise awareness and improve healthcare infrastructure to make mental health counseling accessible.
Working environment
Following the rise of work-related illnesses, the improvement of working conditions has been a persistent concern for Japan. The Japanese government enacted the Work Style Reform Act in 2018 and set a limit of monthly overtime to 45 hours. However, many employees continue to work more than 45 hours of overtime. In 2022, over 82 percent of the surveyed employed people in Japan stated that鈥痶hey were severely anxious or stressed due to work.To improve health management in the workplace, the government acknowledges companies with outstanding physical and mental health management of employees every year. The government also requires all employers with 50 or more employees to conduct stress level assessments once each year.
Mental health professionals
Despite increasing awareness of mental health, getting professional assistance for mental wellbeing is still not routine in Japan. People tend to visit medical facilities for mental health problems only when they recognize severe symptoms.In addition to psychiatrists engaged in psychiatric hospitals and other medical facilities, two types of licensed mental health counselors exist at present: clinical psychologists and public psychologists. Both can currently work in the field of medicine, education, social welfare, and jurisdiction. However, the distinction between the two types is not clearly specified yet.
Japan has a high suicide rate and a rising incidence of mental illness due to work-related stress. At the same time, the barrier to seeking medical help is high, partly due to peer pressure not to be a burden to others. Educational efforts are needed to raise awareness and improve healthcare infrastructure to make mental health counseling accessible.
