karoshi
Deadly workplace strain
Karoshi is a Japanese term for death caused by overwork—typically heart attack or stroke brought on by extreme job stress and exhaustion.
The word entered English as work culture discussions intensified: Japan has taken steps to address karoshi, but the problem persists.
It sometimes appears in broader critiques of corporate expectations: Silicon Valley's hustle culture is just karoshi with better marketing.
Chronic occupational depletion
- exhaustionState of utter depletion
- overtimeWork beyond scheduled hours
- deadlineTime limit for completion
- workaholicCompulsive labor addict
pressure · toil · drudgery · grind · slog · overload · overstrain · crunch
Cessation of life
- strokeSudden brain blood blockage
- suicideVoluntary death by oneself
- stressPressure, mental or vocal
- collapseSudden structural failure
hospitalization · hypertension · depression · anxiety · insomnia · autopsy · widow · orphan
East Asian archipelago nation
- collectivismGroup primacy doctrine
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- dutyRequired moral task
- obligationRequired task or commitment
self-sacrifice · conformity · diligence · perseverance · honor · expectation · seniority · postwar
Japanese corporate employee
- white-collarOffice work designation
- workplaceEmployment location
- companyCommercial enterprise or guests
- corporationLegally separate business entity
hierarchy · loyalty · dedication · promotion · management · HR · employment · compliance
Official rules governing conduct
- activismDirect effort for reform
- awarenessState of perceiving reality
- preventionStopping something before occurring
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
union · advocacy · policy · cap · enforcement · reporting · recognition · memorial
burnout
Chronic occupational depletion
- exhaustionState of utter depletion
- overtimeWork beyond scheduled hours
- deadlineTime limit for completion
workaholic · pressure · toil · drudgery · grind · slog · overload · overstrain · crunch · all-nighter
death
Cessation of life
collapse · hospitalization · hypertension · depression · anxiety · insomnia · autopsy · widow · orphan · compensation
Japan
East Asian archipelago nation
- collectivismGroup primacy doctrine
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- dutyRequired moral task
obligation · self-sacrifice · conformity · diligence · perseverance · honor · expectation · seniority · postwar
salaryman
Japanese corporate employee
- white-collarOffice work designation
- workplaceEmployment location
- companyCommercial enterprise or guests
corporation · hierarchy · loyalty · dedication · promotion · management · HR · employment · compliance · salary
regulation
Official rules governing conduct
- activismDirect effort for reform
- awarenessState of perceiving reality
- preventionStopping something before occurring
legislation · union · advocacy · policy · cap · enforcement · reporting · recognition · memorial · campaign
karoshila dolce vita
Lifestyle of luxury and pleasure
hygge · slow living · idleness · slacking · quiet quitting