Impact of Long Working Hours on Mental Health Status in Japan: Evidence from a National Representative Survey

Xinxin Ma (), Atushi Kawakami and Tomohiko Inui
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Xinxin Ma: Faculty of Economics, Hosei University, 4342 Machita-shi Aiharamachi, Tokyo 194-0298, Japan
Atushi Kawakami: Faculty of Economics, Toyo University, Tokyo 112-8606, Japan
Tomohiko Inui: Faculty of International Social Sciences, Gakushuin University, Tokyo 171-8588, Japan

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 7, 1-22

Abstract: Using the 2010–2019 Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions (CSLC) conducted in Japan, we examined the impact of long working hours on mental health in Japan while addressing the endogeneity issue arising from non-random selection bias. We assessed the variations in the effects of long working hours on mental health across different groups. The results show that first, individuals working longer hours (55 h or more per week) exhibited a higher likelihood of developing mental illness than those working regular hours or fewer hours. Second, the negative effect of long working hours on mental health is more pronounced among non-regular workers than among regular workers. Third, the effect of long working hours on mental health varies among different demographic groups, with a greater impact observed among women, managers, non-regular workers, employees in small- or large-sized firms, and those in smaller cities compared to their counterparts. Thus, to enhance worker productivity, the Japanese government should address the issue of long working hours to improve employees’ mental well-being. Initiatives aimed at promoting work–life balance, family-friendly policies, and measures to ameliorate working conditions are expected to help mitigate the challenges associated with long working hours and mental health issues, especially among non-regular workers.

Keywords: mental health; long working hours; regular worker; non-regular worker; Japan (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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