Recent reports from Japan highlight the plight of employees suffering from sleep deprivation, often succumbing to dozing off during work hours. Many of these workers endure the difficulty of recognizing the symptoms and receiving a diagnosis, often confused with laziness or lack of commitment. The article delves into the struggle such employees face, the impact it has on their job performance and the urgent need for understanding and remediation.

In Japan, work-related stress is a serious societal issue with significant health implications. There's a cultural norm for employees to push themselves to the limit. They are often hesitant to take time off or report health concerns for fear of appearing uncommitted. Consequently, the harm is twofold: not only does an individual's health suffer, but overall work productivity decreases as well.

In the US and EU, workplace wellness has experienced a major shift, prioritizing employee well-being over purely performance-focused cultures. Physical and mental health is largely acknowledged and support programs are provided, equipping workers to maintain a healthier work-life balance. Such approach seems increasingly crucial for Japanese workplaces to adopt.