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Work and MSDs in Japan 28 3.4 Summary The impact of MSDs on the workforce is not commonly recognised in Japan, particularly, among non-manual worker groups. Some of the wider societal and economic impacts of these conditions are yet to be acknowledged and addressed. MSDs can affect not only the people living with them, but also their employers and the society as a whole. It is essential that individuals with MSDs receive diagnosis and treatment in time to be able to remain productive members of the workforce. Decision-makers in Japan should appreciate the fact that much of the burden of MSDs in Japan could be avoided if employers, employees and health care professionals were provided with a policy context conducive to a more effective collaboration. The following sections outline what can be done to tackle ill health in the Japanese workforce, providing specific recommendations for each stakeholder group. Fit For Work? Musculoskeletal Disorders and the Japanese Labour Market
4. MSDs and government 4.1 Costs of MSDs to the wider economy and society Having a significant proportion of the working age population either temporarily or permanently unable to work because of chronic disease – even in a favourable economic climate – can reduce the aggregate level of labour productivity in an economy and damage the competitiveness and effectiveness of private and public sector employers. A significant burden of ill-health or disability can also have a number of damaging social consequences leading to marginalisation and social exclusion. It is imperative for Japan to optimise the supply of people that are fit for work in order to take full advantage of the country’s economic potential. Thus, it will be important to ensure that those with illness or long-term conditions are not disproportionately excluded from the labour market since such exclusion has a number of implications. First, in order to reduce the social security burden on younger generations it is vital that Japan maintains a healthy and productive workforce. Japan is the world’s third largest economy, built up as a result of rapid economic growth in the post-war period, during which time the country became technologically advanced. Economic growth has slowed significantly since the 1990s and the country has experienced several periods of recession which have changed working structures. The labour market gaps are exacerbated by the demographic changes in Japan and the growing dependency rate of the elderly population (JILPT, 2012). To minimise the impact of ill health, it is important to develop strategies to allow people with conditions such as MSDs to participate in working life for the longest possible time. Second, unemployment and job loss have serious financial and health consequences for individuals. Studies have shown widespread deterioration in aspects of physical and mental well-being among those who lose their jobs which can persist for many months (Armstrong, 2006; Brinkley, Clayton, Coats, Hutton, and Overell, 2008). Third, it is essential that unemployment is not concentrated in the most vulnerable parts of the workforce, especially among those with disabilities or with long-term health conditions. Finding ways of improving job retention for these workers is vital, as we know that once they become detached from the labour market, their chances of finding meaningful work again are severely damaged. Latest available figures show that 58 per cent of people with disabilities of working age in Japan are not in employment (MHLW, 2006). The Japanese economy simply cannot afford for its development to be inhibited by a shortage of skilled, motivated and healthy workers. MSDs already present the Japanese economy and society with a burden of up to JPY 2 trillion a year (7.5 per cent of national medical expenditure) in the direct health care costs alone (MHLW, 2009). Fit For Work? Musculoskeletal Disorders and the Japanese Labour Market 29
Page 1: Fit For Work? Musculoskeletal Disor
Page 4 and 5: Contents 4 1. Executive summary 6 2
Page 6 and 7: 1. Executive summary 6 The ‘Fit f
Page 8 and 9: Executive summary 8 the data that i
Page 10 and 11: 2. Introduction 10 2.1 The global b
Page 12 and 13: Introduction 12 2.3 International c
Page 14 and 15: Introduction 14 2.5 Structure of th
Page 16 and 17: Work and MSDs in Japan 16 Figure 3.
Page 18 and 19: Work and MSDs in Japan 18 3.2 Defin
Page 20 and 21: Work and MSDs in Japan 20 3.3 The i
Page 22 and 23: Work and MSDs in Japan 22 average t
Page 24 and 25: Work and MSDs in Japan 24 RA affect
Page 26 and 27: Work and MSDs in Japan 26 3.3.4 Spo
Page 30 and 31: MSDs and government 30 4.2 MSDs: Po
Page 32 and 33: MSDs and government 32 of good heal
Page 34 and 35: MSDs and government 34 Figure 4.1.
Page 36 and 37: MSDs and government 36 deliver bett
Page 38 and 39: 5. MSDs and health care professiona
Page 40 and 41: MSDs and health care professionals
Page 50 and 51: 6. MSDs and employers 50 6.1 Costs
Page 52 and 53: MSDs and employers 52 6.2 The role
Page 54 and 55: MSDs and employers 54 Occupational
Page 56 and 57: MSDs and employers 56 The most freq
Page 58 and 59: MSDs and employers 58 levels of pai
Page 60 and 61: MSDs and employers 60 • Modified
Page 62 and 63: MSDs and employers 62 Box 2. Case s
Page 64 and 65: MSDs and employers 64 lower the mor
Page 66 and 67: 7. MSDs and individuals 66 7.1 Impa
Page 68 and 69: MSDs and individuals 68 Figure 7.1.
Page 70 and 71: MSDs and individuals 70 7.2 MSDs: I
Page 72 and 73: MSDs and individuals 72 and other h
Page 74 and 75: MSDs and individuals 74 Figure 7.4.
Page 76 and 77: MSDs and individuals 76 Cont. Kaize
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MSDs and individuals 78 reported wo
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Conclusions and recommendations 80
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References 82 American Chamber of C
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References 84 Dagfinrud, H., Mengsh
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References 86 Hori, Y., Hoshino, J.
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References 88 Matsudaira, K., Hara,
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References 90 Rudwaleit, M., Gooch,
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References 92 Young, A., Dixey, J.,
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Appendix 2: Fit Note Sample 94 Sour
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Appendix 3: Benchmarking grid 96 So
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Appendix 3: Benchmarking grid 98 So
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Appendix 3: Benchmarking grid 100 O
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Appendix 3: Benchmarking grid Refer
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