360 Days in Row Not Overwork

Japan’s labor office ruled Monday that a middle-age supermarket attendant who died after working 360 days in a row was not a victim of karoshi, or death from overwork.

Labor inspectors in Yokohama ruled that the 43-year-old man was not sick seven days before his death, so his family was not entitled to compensation.

A claim filed by his widow, Yuji Iguchi, said he worked 360 days during 1989. After taking the first three days off in 1990, he worked until February 10, 1990, when he collapsed, dying two days later.

Rules say a karoshi victim must be sick or injured one week before death whether or not the person has had regular days off.