In Japan, a tragic case of a private elementary school male teacher in Tokyo, who committed suicide in 2018 at the age of 39, has highlighted the critical issue of long working hours among educators. The teacher was recognized as having faced nearly 98 hours of overtime monthly, attributing his death to labor-related concerns. Investigation into his case found that he had virtually zero breaks during his working hours, shedding light on the alarming reality that teachers often cannot take necessary rest times due to their responsibilities towards student supervision and other duties. A lawyer representing the family stated that such recognition of nonexistent break times is exceedingly rare.

The family of the deceased teacher is advocating for measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Although there have been moves in recent years towards reducing working hours within schools, the persistent issue of long working hours for teachers remains unresolved. The family expressed distrust towards the school’s responses, emphasizing the deceased’s strong sense of responsibility and urging the need for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. They seek not only acknowledgment of the issues but also actionable reforms designed to mitigate the crisis of teacher overwork.

Long working hours among educators have been a longstanding issue in Japan, drawing attention from the Central Education Council and other entities. The council recognizes the need for systemic changes to promote teacher well-being and effective utilization of staff resources during school hours. This ongoing challenge calls for a strong reassessment of the demands placed upon educators, prioritizing their mental and physical health in the face of a demanding educational environment. The ongoing advocacy from families affected by such tragedies may be pivotal in achieving meaningful reforms in teacher labor conditions in the future.