63% of nat'l gov't workers on sick leave suffering mental problems

Thursday 10th April, 05:26 AM JST

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8 Comments

some14some at 07:39 AM JST - 10th April

well that migh be true but it is also reported (by local channels) that some of them taking 'sick leave' and then doing part-time job or engaging in private activities (few caught playing Pachinko).
WhatJapanThinks at 07:56 AM JST - 10th April

I saw a report that in Kyoto some of the absenteeism, or coming into work, then taking four hour lunch breaks, etc, is done by burakumin, and the council cannot really do anything as they fear being accused of discrimination.

Oh, and do government workers get sick pay for this?
Castella at 08:28 AM JST - 10th April

Believe this issue is much overblown in Japan. True, the average office worker has many demands placed upon him/her, but some of this stress is self-induced. And there is the less than honest group that does just enough during the day so that the remainder of their work earns them overtime. Time to put a stop to this scam.
GrouchyGaijin at 08:50 AM JST - 10th April

Last week, the Ministry of Health announced that 24%+ of Japanese suffered from mental illness. I believe this is grossly underestimated. After a visit to any local/national government office, I always feel sick too!
frontandcentre at 10:18 AM JST - 10th April

The headline is a little misleading - it sounds as though 63% of all national government workers are on sick leave suffering from mental problems. That might almost be believeable here, though
umbrella at 10:36 PM JST - 10th April

I'm surprised that it's not 100% of all office workers with mental illness. Each day is an elaborate charade played out. Who can handle that for long??
medievaltimes at 08:31 AM JST - 11th April

--mental health care in Japan is in the dark ages

--Japan has got to be one of the most masochistic societies on the planet. Their sense of self worth is strongly tied to how much they are able to "endure".

--Most people above the age of 25 I see dont look very happy. They look stressed and exhausted.