Record 1,319 public school teachers in Japan quit citing mental health issues

A record number of 1,319 public school teachers in Japan cited mental health as the reason for leaving their jobs in the 2024 fiscal year, according to preliminary findings from an education ministry survey.

The number of teachers quitting due to mental health issues has steadily climbed since the survey began asking about this reason in fiscal year 2009. The 2024 figure marks a significant 39% increase compared to the previous survey in fiscal year 2021, reaching its highest rate of increase since the survey's inception.

Education ministry officials attribute this surge to the growing workload teachers face. This includes the rising number of students requiring special educational support and Japanese-language instruction, coupled with persistent teacher shortages across the country. As of April 2025, public schools nationwide face a deficit of 4,317 teachers, with 8.8% of positions remaining unfilled.

In total, 15,540 teachers left their positions for reasons other than retirement in fiscal year 2024. Changing jobs, including transfers to education boards, was the most common reason, accounting for 5,080 teachers. Family reasons were cited by 3,569 teachers. The ministry acknowledges the urgency of the mental health issue and plans to enhance systems for early detection of mental health problems through stress checks and counseling services.

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Mental health is an issue that must be urgently addressed.