Japan is confronting a sobering reality about workplace conditions and caregiving burdens, as recent government data reveals systemic failures affecting both Japanese citizens and foreign residents. Three concurrent developments highlight urgent concerns about labor rights, workplace safety, and the mounting pressures within Japan's aging society. According to NHK, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has documented at least 129 elderly deaths over the past decade resulting from so-called "caregiver murders" and related incidents caused by caregiver exhaustion. This grim milestone comes as Japan marks 25 years since implementing its long-term care insurance system, raising serious questions about whether support structures adequately protect families shouldering eldercare responsibilities. The data underscores how caregiver burnout has reached crisis levels, with family members overwhelmed by the physical, emotional, and financial demands of caring for aging relatives. For foreign residents working in Japan's caregiving sector—one of the industries specifically targeted for expanded visa categories—these statistics reveal the challenging environment they may encounter. The caregiving industry faces chronic understaffing, long hours, and intense emotional labor. Expats employed in eldercare facilities or considering such positions should understand that workplace conditions remain strained despite government initiatives to recruit foreign workers. The caregiver murder cases represent extreme outcomes of systemic pressures that affect professional caregivers and family members alike. Meanwhile, a separate scandal has emerged involving Japan's public employment system. NHK reported that a Hello Work employee in Tokyo received disciplinary action after using fake names to attend company job interviews. The employee allegedly participated in these fraudulent interviews to artificially inflate the office's job placement statistics and meet performance targets. The employee received a reprimand (kaikouku), the lightest form of disciplinary action under Japanese administrative law. This incident raises concerns about the reliability of employment placement services that many foreign residents depend upon when seeking work in Japan. Hello Work offices serve as primary resources for job seekers, including those with working visas. The revelation that staff members manipulated statistics to meet quotas suggests potential systemic pressure within the organization that could compromise service quality. Expats should approach employment statistics and job placement success rates with appropriate skepticism and verify opportunities independently. Adding to workplace concerns, December 25th marked ten years since Matsuri Takahashi, a new employee at advertising giant Dentsu, died by suicide due to overwork. According to NHK, Takahashi's mother held a press conference in Tokyo, stating that her suffering "only increases" and urging young people to understand the dangers of karoshi (death from overwork). The Takahashi case became a watershed moment in Japan's ongoing struggle with excessive overtime and workplace mental health. Despite labor reforms implemented following high-profile karoshi cases, including overtime caps introduced in 2019, workplace culture change remains incomplete. Foreign professionals, particularly those in demanding industries like advertising, consulting, finance, and technology, should remain vigilant about overtime expectations and mental health resources. Japan's work culture often emphasizes dedication through long hours, creating pressure that may feel especially intense for expats seeking to prove themselves professionally. These three stories collectively illustrate persistent challenges within Japan's labor landscape: inadequate support systems for caregivers, questionable practices within employment services, and ongoing workplace health risks despite reforms. For foreign residents, understanding these systemic issues is essential for protecting personal wellbeing and making informed career decisions. Expats should familiarize themselves with labor rights, including overtime limits (45 hours monthly, 360 hours annually under standard conditions), mandatory paid leave, and workplace harassment protections. Resources like the Foreign Workers Support Helpline and prefectural labor bureaus offer multilingual assistance. As Japan continues addressing demographic challenges and labor shortages, foreign workers must advocate for safe, sustainable working conditions while remaining alert to systemic pressures affecting all employees.