Death From Overwork

by Neil Verwey

The Japanese work far too hard.

At least 10,000 people die from overwork annually, but the figure could be as much as even 50,000. Many people suffer from fatal illnesses related to overwork.

Satoshi Nagayama, a worker at a prominent construction firm, plunged to his death from the 10th floor of his office. He was only 28 and had worked at the firm for about five years.

Mr. Nagayana, a civil engineer, had been assigned duties that required special knowledge outside his professional training. He struggled with the new workload, putting in 116 hours of overtime during the month of his death. He finally accomplished his task, but he killed himself the next day.

Japanese workers took an average of 9.4 paid holiday days a year, while French workers took an average of 25 and Germans 31.2 in 1997.

In the Japanese culture, there are no internal factors that restrict them from working. There is no religious custom that prevents them from working on certain days.
(Source – Yomiuri Daily Newspaper)

Our God, the God of the universe, expects us to work and in the framework of the rules He has determined for us. If we break His laws, e.g. by not resting one day week and sleep well every night, we are asking for trouble.

God wants us to work hard but also to be happy!

HOW BLESSED IS EVERYONE WHO FEARS THE LORD,
WHO WALKS IN HIS WAYS.
WHEN YOU SHALL EAT OF THE FRUIT OF YOUR HANDS,
YOU WILL BE HAPPY AND IT WILL BE WELL WITH YOU.
Psalm 128:1

Enjoy God’s Blessings!