English version - Fit for Work Europe

8. Conclusions and recommendations
In general, work is good for health. It provides income, generates social capital and gives us
purpose and meaning. Even when unwell or injured, remaining in work – even in a reduced
capacity – is often better for recovery than long periods away from work. If the Japanese
workforce is to be productive and competitive in the global economy, and if the quality of their
working lives is to be enhanced, it is important that a large proportion of the workforce is, as
much as possible, fit for work.
The evidence presented in this report illustrates that a high percentage of working age people in
Japan are, or will be, directly affected by MSDs. This can have significant social and economic
consequences for these individuals, their families, their employers and the Japanese society as
a whole: MSDs can impede the productive capacity of the overall workforce and the Japanese
economy; In addition, they can lead to heavy draws on the resources of both the health service
and the social benefits regime.
There are three main principles on which clinicians, occupational physicians, employers,
employees and the Japanese government should focus if the working lives of workers with
MSDs are to be improved.
• Collect reliable data on the prevalence of MSDs in Japan. The data on the incidence
of occupational disease collected by employers, and the data on inpatients collected
via the health care system are inconsistent because of the variability in methods of data
collection. Furthermore, evidence and expert views gathered in his report suggest that
the data that is available does not reflect the true picture of the prevalence of MSDs in
Japan. Lack of comprehensive data is one reason why many individuals in Japan do
not receive appropriate interventions in time for the most efficient management of their
conditions. A standardised and up-to-date method to collect data on the prevalence
of MSDs in Japan should be introduced and used by occupational physicians
and clinicians, so that the Japanese government and the employers can develop
appropriate policies and practices to tackle the burden of this group of conditions.
• Early diagnosis and intervention are essential. The overwhelming evidence is that
long periods away from work are usually bad for MSD patients. Early diagnosis and
intervention, as well as timely and appropriate rehabilitation, will help more people keep
their jobs and will reduce the burden of chronic disease on the wider economy and
society. Occupational physicians are ideally placed to identify the early presentation
of many MSDs. They should strive to detect conditions as early as practicable, and
refer individuals to specialist teams to enable a prompt start to managing the condition.
Similarly, communication between the specialists in the Japanese health care
system must be improved to ensure that individuals with MSDs access appropriate
Fit For Work? Musculoskeletal Disorders and the Japanese Labour Market 79