Mitsubishi Electric has been referred for possible prosecution for allegedly forcing an employee to work excessive overtime. The former employee, who developed a psychological disorder after having been forced to work for more than 160 hours of overtime during one month in 2014. The former employee states that he was instructed by his supervisor (who has also been referred for possible prosecution) to file false reports regarding the amount of overtime he had worked. He also states that the supervisor subjected him to verbal abuse.

Japanese labour law allows companies to require employees to perform overtime, on the basis of agreements with unions and with specified limits. In practice the limits specified even in these agreements are widely ignored. The authorities have stated that 80 hours overtime per month is the “karoshi line” , over which deaths are generally recognised as being work related.