STRESSING
JAPANESE WORKERS

Topics: Ambition; Busyness; Career; Competition; Consequences; Depression; Greed; Materialism; Money; Prosperity; Riches; Stress; Suicide; Values

References: Matthew 11:28–30; 16:26; Luke 12:22–34; Philippians 4:11–12; 1 Timothy 6:10; Hebrews 13:5; 1 Peter 5:2

In 2006, Japanese workers had higher rates of anxiety, mental illness, depression, and suicide than ever before, partly due to Western culture.

In previous decades Western business practices upset traditional Japanese values to the detriment of Japanese workers. In an attempt to globalize, corporate Japan adopted the working practices of the United States and England. These efforts included merit-based pay and promotions, which deviated from the traditional Japanese emphases on seniority and teamwork. More temporary staff and greater salary disparities were other ill effects of the switch.

The intense competition and individualism generated by these practices negatively affected the mental health of the Japanese workforce. According to government officials, “Sixty percent of workers suffer from high anxiety, and 65 percent of companies report soaring levels of mental illness.”

Directors of the Japanese Mental Health Institute blamed the infiltration of Western values for rising levels of depression among workers and the country’s suicide rate, which remained the highest among rich nations. The male suicide rate alone had doubled since 1976.

—Leo Lewis, “Western Values Are Causing Mental Illness,” timesonline.co.uk (August 10, 2006)