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Parents Sue Matsudo City Over Young Doctor’s Suicide, Seek ¥189 Million

The filing alleges extreme overtime with no workload reduction following a brief medical leave.

Overview

  • The parents filed a wrongful-death suit on January 23 in Yamagata District Court seeking about ¥189 million in damages.
  • The complaint targets Matsudo City as the employer of the municipal hospital where the physician worked.
  • According to the suit, reported overtime reached roughly 150 hours in April 2023 and 198 hours in May, with no days off for 77 consecutive days from April 3.
  • The doctor developed an adjustment disorder in mid-June 2023, took leave, returned on July 2 without reduced duties as alleged, and died by suicide on July 26.
  • The plaintiffs argue the city failed to manage working hours and mental-health accommodations; the hospital said it would refrain from comment due to ongoing litigation.