Category: Health

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 18, 2025 Number of comments0
Employment Health Japan

Fatigue causing increase in ‘workplace accidents due to falls’ incidents in Japan

Fatigue is emerging as a key factor behind the rise in workplace accidents caused by falls, according to Hideki Katano, author of Rest Science and Fatigue Science, and head of the Japan Recovery Association. In an interview reported by Toyo Keizai on Friday, October 17, Katano warned that widespread fatigue is not only a health concern but also a growing safety risk. The association’s latest 2025 survey found that 82% of working-age Japanese feel tired—an all-time high—translating to over 71 million people, up 300,000 from the previous year. With fatigue-related economic losses estimated at 15 trillion yen annually and the number of “frequently tired” individuals continuing to climb, Katano emphasizes the urgent need for nationwide fatigue management and prevention efforts.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 25, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Health Heatstroke Hospitals Japan

Japan sets new record for heat-related ambulance transport incidents

Japan set a new record for ambulance transports due to heat-related illness this summer, the government said Wednesday, surpassing last year’s figure amid unprecedented heat waves and an unusually early end to the rainy season. The Fire and Disaster Management Agency said in preliminary data that 99,573 people across Japan were taken to hospitals for heat-related illness between May 1 and Sunday.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 20, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Health Japan Podcast Sex

Japan Panel OKs 1st OTC Sales of Erectile Dysfunction Drug [Podcast Episode]

An expert panel of Japan’s health ministry on Thursday approved over-the-counter sales of a drug to treat erectile dysfunction. It is expected that OTC sales of the drug will help spread opportunities for erectile dysfunction treatment as the male sexual dysfunction has major impacts on society, such as being a factor for declining birthrates.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 18, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Health Hospitals Japan

Hyōgo man dies after collapse; emergency call delay linked to NTT outage

On the afternoon of the 16th, a man in his 50s was found collapsed in Itami City, Hyōgo Prefecture, and was transported to a hospital, where he was later confirmed dead. According to police, at the time there was a communication outage affecting NTT West, and it is believed that the emergency call was delayed. However, it is not known whether this was directly related to the man’s death.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 9, 2025 Number of comments0
Cancer Health Japan Medical

Kyoto University Develops Protein to Help Remove Cancer Cells

The research group developed Crunch, short for Connector for Removal of Unwanted Cell Habitat, a protein that binds to unwanted cells to make it easier for macrophages to pick out their target. By modifying the Crunch protein’s structure, it can latch onto different types of unwanted cells. Mice with skin cancer or autoimmune diseases were injected with Crunch protein. The team confirmed that harmful cells, such as cancer cells, either exhibited suppressed growth or were reduced in number.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 5, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Health Japan Medical

Health, Labour and Welfare Ministry Council Considers Adding “Sleep Disorder” to Medical Department Names, Along with Internal Medicine

Japan’s Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry is considering allowing “sleep disorders” to be listed as an official medical department name at hospitals and clinics. The move comes after the Japanese Society of Sleep Research requested the change, citing a rise in conditions such as insomnia and hypersomnia and confusion over where patients should seek treatment. Currently, care is divided among psychiatry, respiratory medicine, and otolaryngology. The ministry’s advisory council aims to reach a decision by March 2026.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 1, 2025 Number of comments0
Birth Rate Health Japan Medical Sex

Japan Panel OKs Nonprescription Sales of Morning-After Pill

An expert panel of Japan’s health ministry has agreed that Aska Pharmaceutical Co. will be given approval to make and sell its emergency contraceptive pill Norlevo without a prescription. At a meeting Friday, the panel also agreed that the product will be classified as a drug that must be taken in the presence of a trained pharmacist for safety reasons. The panel decided not to set an age limit for access. But for individuals under 16, the age of consent to sexual acts, pharmacists would provide guidance as needed. Parental consent would no longer be required. Sales methods will be discussed at a later date.