D-UP, a prominent Japanese cosmetics company, has reportedly agreed to a payment of 150 million yen following a case of employee suicide. The bereaved family filed a lawsuit, seeking compensation for a supposedly harsh working environment that they argue led to the tragic incident. The exact details regarding the lawsuit settlement have yet to be disclosed.

This news has spotlighted the ongoing issue of Japan's rigorous working culture, often called "karoshi", literally translating to "death from overwork". Japanese society places immense importance on diligence and productivity, which sometimes results in exceedingly high-stress work environments. There is a growing call for better work-life balance and mental health support in workplaces across the country.

In contrast, in the US and EU, work-related suicides also occur, but they receive less societal attention and are less ingrained in the cultural narrative. There are also stricter regulations enforcing employee mental health and well-being in the workplace, with a growing trend towards 'flexible' and 'remote' working arrangements to ensure better work-life balance.