Families of victims of karoshi, or death from overwork, on Thursday protested against the recent selection of Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remark emphasising work as this year’s catchphrase, saying the choice hurt their feelings and exacerbated their pain.
Takaichi declared, “I will work, work, work, work and work”, during comments shortly after being chosen as leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. The phrase topped this year’s buzzword list but has drawn criticism from various groups, including labour unions, as well as from some fellow lawmakers.
Noriko Nakahara, who lost her paediatrician husband to overwork and co-heads a group of karoshi victims, said she was “stunned” when she learned that the prime minister had won the award.
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“It came as the biggest insult to the bereaved families, and we were deeply hurt,” Nakahara said at a press conference.
Takaichi, who became the country’s first female prime minister after repeated attempts, also said, “I will have everyone work like a workhorse.”
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Hearing those words, Nakahara said she was reminded of her late husband, who said, “I will be killed by the hospital as it makes me work like a workhorse.” “I trembled with rage,” she said.