ストレス

Stress among Japanese

60% of Japan’s population specially in work force suffers from stress, according to the business magazine Weekly Toyo Keizai.

Japanese people accept their stress as the result of trying hard if they are not suffering stress then they are probably not pulling their weight in society, and this would cause embarrassment to them so, it's almost a relief to know they are stressed.

Japan is a group-oriented society. If you feel too carefree, then you may feel guilt, because it would seem like you are not sharing in the burdens of modern society with everyone else.

In the more individualistic societies of the West, it is admired if you can shake off stress and do your own thing, but in group-oriented Japan, it might be too egoistic and selfish perhaps to feel too free and easy while others are seriously attentive to their social responsibilities.

Karōshi , translated literally from Japanese as "death from overwork",is occupational sudden death. Japan is one of the few countries that reports it in the statistics as a separate category. The major medical causes of karōshi deaths are heart attack and stroke due to str

"過労死"

ONSEN

An onsen is a natural, mineral rich hot spring. Most Japanese go to the onsen to infuse away their aches and pains or just to get away and relax.

This activity plays a significant role to Japanese culture because it provides socially institutionalized relief from the pressures of the current Japanese twelve-hour work ethic.

What sorts of things make them feel stress?

1. Work-related, school-related inter-personal relationships 47.2%2. Money 38.0%3. Relationship with family, children; home environment 31.0%4. Details of work, study 25.6%5. Own health situation 21.5%6. Cooking, washing, cleaning, other daily housework 18.3%7. Getting along with the relatives 16.0%8. Child-rearing 14.3%9. Relationships with neighbours 11.4%10. Relationships with friends 11.0%11. Change in work environment 8.3%12. Commuting to work, school 7.4%13. Politics, economy 7.4%14. Relationships with opposite sex 6.6%15. Exams (self, children, etc) 2.9%16. Other 6.5%

how do Japanese cope with stress?

1. Get lots of sleep, naps 26.1%2. Make time to be by myself 25.4%3. Eating 25.1%4. Talk with friends, family 21.7%5. Drink alcohol 19.2%6. Go shopping 17.5%7. Watch a movie, drama 16.5%8. Take a bath, shower 14.1%9. Read a book 13.5%10. Do exercise, play sports 12.3%Play electronic game 12.2%Take medicine 11.3%Smoke 10.4%