Karoshi: Consequences of the Salaryman Identity
Karoshi syndromes are characterized by stroke and ischemia, and other cardiovascular attacks due to physical fatigue. It also includes mental fatigue as a factor, causing higher amounts of mental disorders. It is an ultimately fatal condition, with causes of death ranging from having a stroke to committing suicide (Demetriou 7). In 2016, over 1456 cases were reported to result from karoshi (Demetriou 2). Karoshi is still and issue today and is becoming more and more severe as Japanese work longer hours, indicating characteristics of salaryman culture that can be extremely detrimental to one’s health.
However, the government was shown to be very reluctant with attributing karoshi to poor working conditions. Karo-jujitsu, the term coined for worker suicide due to overload, was not considered a valid medical condition because suicide was stigmatized and seen as a choice made of free will without any surrounding influences (Kanai 209). In addition, the standards for diagnosing mental disorders were much more relaxed, lowering the occurrence of karoshi in statistical data even if the data is incorrect (Kanai 210).
The actions of the governmental institutions indicate Japan’s unwillingness to admit that their working standards for laborers and salarymen are harmful. Because the salaryman brings in the most capital and supports most of Japan's economic growth, it is believed that by allowing the salaryman to work less, the Japanese economy will suffer or regress (Nemeth 14). In addition, salarymen may not be so ready to complain against long work hours, as they are idolized and feel there is a certain standard they must uphold. David's path goes more into what standards are expected of the salaryman, and Shannon Brook's path explains how this nationalistic identity is not always achievable. This societal pressure of being perfect can ultimately cause salarymen harm, and to even take their own life. In the next path, we will see how the consequences of the salaryman identity cause Japanese male youth to be fearful of the future that lies before them and bring about a new identity: the hikikomori.
Works Cited
Demetriou, Danielle. "'Death from overworking' claims hit record high in Japan." The Telegraph, 4 Apr. 2016. Web. 27 Apr. 2017. <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/04/04/death-from-overworking-claims-hit-record-high-in-japan/>.
Kanai, Atsuko. "“Karoshi (Work to Death)” in Japan." Journal of Business Ethics(2009): 209-15. Web. 26 Apr. 2017.
Nemeth, Barbara. "Masculinities in Japan." (2014): n. pag. Web. 27 Apr. 2017. <http://theses.cz/id/w3ov0n/Diplomova_Praca_Barbara_Nemeth.pdf>.
