It is not uncommon for companies to face problems with employees missing work or taking leave of absence due to mental illness. Some such problems can be attributed to excessive work-related stress. The Labor Ministry’s report disclosed in July 2026 indicate that workers’ compensation applications involving mental disorders are surging. This article looks at the report and considers necessary company action.
[1] Workers’ compensation applications involving mental disorders
The chart below shows recent trend of workers’ compensation claims involving mental illnesses. The number of applications rose sharply in FY2025 to 4,958 from 3,780 in the year before. Approved compensation claims totaled 1,082, also rising from 1,055 in the previous year. The number topped 1,000 for two consecutive years.
Among the approved claims, 151 cases were filed from social insurance/welfare/nursing care businesses, and 139 cases occurred in medical services. Road transportation sector had 68 cases, while general construction and restaurant businesses saw 51 and 45 cases, respectively. The trend indicates many compensation claims were made in the medical and welfare businesses. Meanwhile, the ratio of approved cases was 28.2% in FY2025, falling below the 30% mark for the first time in several years.
Chart: Trends in workers' compensation claims relating to mental disorders
Blue: Number of applications
Red: Cases of approved compensation
Line: Approval rate
[2] Specific cases
When labor officials study compensation claims, incidents that led to mental disorders are examined. Common incidents are categorized in five groups described below.
1 Power harassment, such as physical or psychological abuse from superiors (222 cases)
2 Significant harassment from customers, business partners, facility users, etc. (127 cases)
3 Sexual harassment (127 cases)
4 Events that caused major changes in work duties or volumes (113 cases)
5 Experiencing or witnessing of tragic accidents or disasters relating to work (110 cases)
Among these, the first three types, involving power harassment, customer harassment, or sexual harassment, account for more than 40% of the 1,082 approved cases. Since measures to prevent customer harassment will become mandatory in October, companies are encouraged to increase effort to protect workers from harassment.
‘Reference
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, “Status of workers compensation involving death from excessive work in FY2025”
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/newpage_74476.html
“Prevention of harassment at work”
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/koyou_roudou/koyoukintou/seisaku06/index.html
This information is based on laws and regulations as of the date of the original article.
