In a concerning development for Japan's education sector, over 7,000 teachers took mental health sick leave in the 2024 academic year, according to the country's education ministry. This figure, while a slight decrease from the previous year's record, marks the second consecutive year that the number has exceeded 7,000. The data reveals a concerning trend, with 3,458 elementary school teachers, 1,639 junior high school teachers, and 1,006 senior high school teachers affected. The impact is significant, as 1,458 teachers, or 20 percent, have since resigned from their positions. The factors behind these absences are equally alarming. Surveys indicate that 26.5 percent of teachers cited issues related to instructing students, 23.2 percent mentioned workplace relationships, and 6.1 percent pointed to excessive demands from parents or other caretakers. These findings have prompted an official from the education ministry to express a grave sense of crisis, highlighting the need for urgent measures to address the harassment and stress experienced by teachers, particularly from parents and the community.
