How to talk about mental health at work in Japan

Japan Today

29-05-2025

By Kerri King
Japan has long held a cultural ideal of 'enduring hardship' (我慢, gaman), especially in the workplace. This often means pushing through stress, exhaustion or emotional pain rather than speaking up. While mental health is still widely considered a private matter in Japan, that doesn't mean you have to struggle alone.
If you're feeling overwhelmed, anxious or depressed, support is available. And while Japan's workplace culture is still catching up, awareness around mental health is growing. Here's how to speak up, stay culturally aware, and protect your well-being in the process.
Cultural Barriers (But Change Is Starting)
Know the Signs Before It's Too Late
How to Talk About It (Japanese Work Culture Version)
Know Your Rights (Even if They're Hard to Use)
You Can Speak With the Company Doctor
A Disability Certificate May Help
If Work Isn't Safe, Get Outside Help
Therapy & Counseling (English-Speaking)
Legal & Employment Advice
You're Not Overreacting—You're Protecting Yourself
Cultural Barriers (But Change Is Starting)
Opening up about depression, anxiety or burnout in Japan can feel like admitting failure — a taboo in a collectivist culture where group harmony often outweighs individual needs. Though attitudes are shifting, mental illness has long been viewed through a lens of spiritual imbalance or personal weakness.
A 2022 survey by the Japan Productivity Center found only 15.3% of workers had received mental health support at work, despite nearly 60% reporting high levels of stress. Government reforms are encouraging better work-life balance, and some companies now offer occupational health services or counseling. Still, access remains uneven, and many employees hesitate to seek help.
By 2024, nearly half of full-time workers in Japan reported 'quiet quitting' — doing only the minimum required —underscoring just how widespread burnout has become.
Know the Signs Before It's Too Late
Don't let work take priority over your mental health.
Common Signs of Burnout
Crying quietly between meetings or after work
Chronic headaches, nausea, or other unexplained physical symptoms
Difficulty falling asleep, or waking up already tired
Trouble focusing, forgetfulness, or missing deadlines
A sense of emotional numbness or disconnection from your work
Social isolation can make this worse. Some people experience panic attacks on crowded morning trains—a symptom so common it's often overlooked.
Speaking up early, taking a break or seeking outside help is not a weakness. It's a form of self-leadership—and it might be the smartest move you make in your career.
How to Talk About It (Japanese Work Culture Version)
Talking about mental health at work is never easy, and in Japan, it often requires a careful balance of honesty, discretion and cultural sensitivity. The workplace tends to prize harmony, hierarchy and emotional restraint.
Start with Physical Language First
In many Japanese workplaces, it's more acceptable to frame emotional or mental distress as a physical issue. This isn't dishonest — it's a culturally appropriate way to open the door to support.
Phrases that work well include:
I'm not feeling well (体調が悪いです, taicho ga warui desu)
I'm going to the clinic regularly (通院しています, tsuin shiteimasu)
I need a short period of rest (少し休養が必要です, sukoshi kyuyo ga hitsuyō desu)
If You Mention Mental Health, Keep It Neutral
Should you choose to be more specific, avoid emotionally charged language unless you're speaking to someone trained in mental health or someone you trust deeply.
Try:
I'm receiving treatment for mental health reasons (メンタルヘルスのことで通院しています, mentaru herusu no koto de tsuin shiteimasu)
I'm receiving support from a professional (専門家のサポートを受けています, senmonka no sapoto o uketeimasu)
I'm experiencing some stress (少しストレスが溜まっています, sukoshi sutoresu ga tamatteimasu)
Know Your Rights (Even if They're Hard to Use)
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