Japan Ranks Last Among OECD Countries in Sleep

Japan is implementing specialized medical departments and pediatric sports programs to combat widespread sleep deprivation, as OECD data shows Japanese citizens sleep an average of 7 hours and 42 minutes per night—the lowest among 35 surveyed nations. The initiative includes a June regulatory change by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare to improve patient access to care.

How is Japan expanding medical treatment for sleep disorders?

Medical institutions are creating dedicated departments to simplify the process of seeking help. Moiwa Tokushukai Hospital in Sapporo is replacing its Snoring and Sleep Apnea Clinic with a new Sleep Disorder Cardiovascular Medicine Department.

Hospital director Yasunobu Ushirohira stated the new department combines sleep medicine and cardiovascular care. Ushirohira noted that patients with sleep disorders often struggle to identify which medical institution to visit, and an integrated approach could help identify serious health problems earlier.

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare reported that approximately 8.65 million people nationwide suffer from insomnia and sleep apnea syndrome. To address this, the ministry revised regulations in June, permitting hospitals to use the term “sleep disorder” on signs and advertisements to make services easier to identify.

Did You Know? According to OECD data, Japan records the shortest average sleep duration among 35 surveyed countries, with residents averaging 7 hours and 42 minutes of sleep per night.

Why are sports being used to improve children’s sleep?

Private organizations are targeting children aged 3 to 12 to establish lifelong habits. At Urx Park, a sports education facility in Sapporo, children engage in multi-sport training involving gymnastics and basketball to strengthen their “ability to sleep.”

Kei Akasaka, head of Urx Park, stated that sleep before age 12 is critical for brain development, specifically the growth of the hippocampus. The program uses a balance of mental and physical activity, such as memorizing color sequences before sprinting, to promote deeper sleep.

Children participating in the program reported feeling the effects, with some stating they fall asleep immediately or feel tired by 7:30 p.m.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter suggests the significant gap between the 58% of people reporting sleep concerns and the 14% who actually consult a physician highlights a systemic barrier to care. By integrating sleep medicine with cardiovascular health, providers may reduce the friction of navigating fragmented psychiatric and respiratory departments.

What are the consequences of chronic sleep deprivation in Japan?

The lack of restorative sleep is a widespread national challenge for working-age adults. A Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare survey found that 27% of people aged 20 to 59 reported that sleep provided little or no recovery from fatigue.

Are Japanese People Sleep Deprived?

The Japanese Society of Sleep Research found that while 58% of people have sleep-related concerns, only 14% have sought medical advice. This disparity is partly attributed to the fact that sleep disorders have historically been split across various departments, such as respiratory medicine and psychiatry.

What may happen next in Japan’s sleep health strategy?

The shift toward specialized naming conventions for medical departments could lead to an increase in the number of patients seeking professional diagnosis. If more people identify their conditions, the 14% consultation rate reported by the Japanese Society of Sleep Research may rise.

Furthermore, the integrated model used by Yasunobu Ushirohira could potentially be adopted by other institutions to treat the intersection of sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease. Pediatric programs like those at Urx Park may also expand if the link between early physical activity and hippocampus development continues to drive enrollment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average sleep duration for people in Japan?
According to OECD data, the average Japanese person sleeps 7 hours and 42 minutes per night.

How many people in Japan suffer from sleep disorders?
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare estimates that approximately 8.65 million people suffer from conditions such as insomnia and sleep apnea syndrome.

How did the Ministry of Health change regulations to help patients?
In June, the ministry allowed medical institutions to include the term “sleep disorder” in the names of departments displayed on signs and advertisements to make it easier for patients to find care.

Do you believe physical activity in early childhood is the most effective way to ensure healthy sleep habits in adulthood?