Fact Check: "Professional drivers account for 30 work-related mental illness cases in Japan!"
What We Know
The claim that "professional drivers account for 30 work-related mental illness cases in Japan" lacks substantiation. According to a study analyzing work-related suicide cases in Japan, there were 167 cases of mental disorders resulting in suicide that were compensated in fiscal year 2015–2016. The study did not specify a number of cases attributed to professional drivers, nor did it indicate that they accounted for a specific number of mental illness cases (Nishimura et al.).
Furthermore, a report from the Japanese labor ministry indicated that the number of workers recognized as suffering from work-related mental illness rose to 1,055 in fiscal 2024, but it did not break down the data to specify how many of these cases involved professional drivers (Nippon.com, Japan Times).
In another report, it was noted that professional drivers accounted for the largest number of work-related illnesses leading to brain or heart disease, with 64 cases reported. However, this does not directly correlate to mental illness cases (Yomiuri Shimbun).
Analysis
The claim appears to be misleading as it suggests a specific number (30) attributed to professional drivers without credible evidence to support it. The studies and reports reviewed do not provide a clear breakdown of mental illness cases specifically linked to professional drivers.
The source from Nishimura et al. is a peer-reviewed study that utilizes national compensation data, which is generally considered reliable for understanding the context of work-related mental health issues in Japan. However, it does not support the specific claim regarding professional drivers (Nishimura et al.).
The labor ministry reports indicate a broader context of mental illness cases but lack specificity regarding professional drivers. The increase in recognized cases of work-related mental illness could be attributed to various factors, including increased awareness and reporting, rather than a specific occupational group (Nippon.com, Japan Times).
The Yomiuri Shimbun report mentions professional drivers in the context of physical health issues rather than mental health, further complicating the claim's validity (Yomiuri Shimbun).
Conclusion
Verdict: False
The claim that "professional drivers account for 30 work-related mental illness cases in Japan" is not supported by available evidence. The data does not specify a number of mental illness cases attributed to professional drivers, and the sources reviewed do not provide a clear basis for this assertion. Instead, they highlight a broader issue of work-related mental health without isolating professional drivers as a distinct category.
Sources
- Overtime working patterns and adverse events in work-related suicide ... Link
- The impact of work-related physical assaults on mental ... Link
- Sociomedical problems of overwork‐related deaths and ... Link
- Google (azienda) - Wikipedia Link
- Work-Related Mental Illness Cases Hit Record in Japan Link
- Work-related mental illness cases hit record high in Japan Link
- Google Link
- 883 Workers in Japan Recorded as Suffering from Work-Related Mental ... Link
