Recent Japanese studies suggest that the country's widespread habit of "sleep stockpiling" might be counterproductive to health and wellness. A large number of Japanese residents attempt to catch up on missed sleep during weekdays by spending extra hours in bed over the weekend. The newly released research data claims that such erratic sleep patterns can lead to adverse effects on mental and physical health, challenging the public's conventional belief about compensating lost sleep.

In Japan, overworking is a critical social issue, often leading to irregular sleep schedules. It's a subject of considerable concern, as Japan grapples with 'karoshi' (death by overwork). The news about the potentially detrimental effects of weekend oversleeping has thus caught significant attention, forcing people to re-evaluate their sleep habits for better health and productivity.

Many Americans and Europeans similarly engage in 'catch-up sleep' during weekends. However, the awareness about the ill effects of irregular sleep schedules is more evident in Western societies due to more extensive research and public health campaigns. Nonetheless, their struggle to balance work and rest is similar, particularly amidst the increasing trend of late-night work or study routines.