Abstract
This report examines 57 cases of overwork-related deaths and suicides （26 cases of cerebro/cardiovascular diseases and 31 cases of mental disorders and suicide known as “Karoshi/Karojisatsu”） among physicians in Japan officially recognized as work-related between 2010 and 2020, along with landmark legal cases that significantly influenced the review of physicians' working conditions. It also highlights key aspects of the work-style reforms for physicians, including the introduction of overtime limits implemented for sustainable healthcare system reform, and discusses expectations for occupational health in medical institutions. A growing number of cases involve young physicians, especially residents, suffering from mental health issues and suicide—reflecting the unsustainable workloads and extended hours imposed on hospital doctors. Since the 1990s, there has been a succession of lawsuits questioning the labor status of physicians and the duty of hospitals to ensure safety and health in the workplace. The growing social awareness of working conditions and the overtime work limits to be implemented in April 2024 represent not only an institutional turning point in addressing physicians' health issues but also a crucial opportunity to reconstruct occupational health systems in medical institutions. It is necessary to develop and revise support systems that reflect the realities of clinical practice.
