1.
death from overwork
Death caused by excessive work hours and work-related stress, typically from heart attack, stroke, or suicide. A recognized social and legal concept in Japan.
過労死が社会問題になっている。
Death from overwork has become a social issue.
過労死を防ぐために労働時間の規制が強化された。
Regulations on working hours were strengthened to prevent death from overwork.
若い社員が過労死したニュースをきっかけに、会社の働き方が見直された。
The news of a young employee's death from overwork prompted a review of the company's work practices.
A compound of 過労 (overwork) + 死 (death). This word has been borrowed into English as "karoshi" because the concept became internationally known through Japan.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 過労死ライン (karoshi line — the threshold of overtime hours considered dangerous, generally 80 hours/month)
- 過労死を防ぐ (prevent death from overwork)
- 過労死等防止対策推進法 (Karoshi Prevention Act)
- 過労死認定 (official recognition as karoshi)
Japan enacted the 過労死等防止対策推進法 in 2014 to address this issue. Cases include both physical death from cardiovascular disease and suicide due to work-related mental illness (過労自殺).