Advertisements

Young Japanese Women Take More Sick Leave Than Men, Study Shows

by Shreeya

A new study reveals that young Japanese women are more than twice as likely to take long-term sick leave compared to men in the same age group. This has led to calls for health policies to better consider age and gender differences when addressing illness and workplace stress.

According to research by the Japan Institute for Health Security, mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, along with pregnancy-related complications like severe morning sickness, were the top reasons for sick leave lasting over 30 days. The study findings were published in The Japan Times.

Advertisements

Researchers, including Yukari Taniyama, reviewed sick leave data from 2012 to 2021. The study covered about 100,000 employees from companies based in east-central Japan. The cases were sorted by gender, age, and cause of illness or injury.

Advertisements

Over the nine-year period, 6,518 men and 1,866 women took long-term sick leave. While the total number of male cases was higher, the rate per 10,000 workers revealed a different story. Women had a higher sick leave rate at 115.5 cases, compared to 89.2 for men.

Advertisements

The highest rate was found among women in their twenties. In this group, 176.6 out of every 10,000 workers took extended leave—more than double the 83.8 rate seen in men of the same age.

Advertisements

Mental Health and Gender Gaps in the Workplace

Mental health problems were the leading cause of extended sick leave across all age groups. However, such issues became less common as people aged. Among older women, musculoskeletal problems and injuries became more frequent reasons for taking time off work.

In contrast, men were more likely than women to take extended leave due to heart attacks or strokes, especially in older age groups.

“Women generally have a higher incidence of long-term sick leave than men,” said Taniyama. “It is important that gender and age are considered in efforts to treat and prevent the causes of long-term leave.”

Japan’s Long Hours Culture Takes a Toll

Japan has long been known for its demanding work culture, where long hours and personal sacrifice are often expected. But this culture has also been linked to serious health problems.

In 2023, a record 883 people were officially diagnosed with work-related mental health issues, such as stress and depression, according to The Yomiuri. This number was the highest since records began and included 79 cases of suicide or attempted suicide—12 more than the previous year.

Work-related heart and brain conditions also rose to 216 cases, surpassing 200 for the first time in four years.

The Japanese government has been trying to address these issues through white papers and public policy aimed at reducing karoshi—a term that refers to death caused by overwork.

Younger Workers Begin to Push Back

Despite the deep-rooted culture of long hours, attitudes among younger workers are starting to shift. A report from the Recruit Works Institute, published in November 2023, showed that average annual working hours in Japan fell by 11.6% from 2000 to 2022.

The steepest drop in work hours was observed among men in their twenties—possibly reflecting a growing unwillingness among younger employees to sacrifice their health for their jobs.

The study’s findings highlight the urgent need for employers and public health officials to address mental health challenges and gender-specific risks in the workplace. Creating better support systems for young female workers—especially in areas such as mental health and maternal care—may help reduce the rising rate of long-term sick leave.

Related topics:

Advertisements

You may also like

blank

Healthfieldtips Your path to optimal health starts here! Discover curated insights into men’s fitness, women’s health, and mental health. So you can live a healthy and fulfilling life. Join us on your health journey!【Contact us: [email protected]

© 2023 Copyright  healthfieldtips.com