A recent study by a University of Tsukuba research group estimates that Japan incurs an annual economic loss of around ¥1 trillion due to 'social jet lag,' the mismatch between weekday and holiday sleep patterns. The analysis drew from data of about 80,000 workers using a smartphone sleep app. It marks the first large-scale examination of the link between sleep patterns and labor productivity.
A research group from the University of Tsukuba analyzed data from approximately 80,000 workers who track their sleep via smartphone apps, revealing the impact of 'social jet lag' on Japan's economy. This term describes the discrepancy in sleep patterns between weekdays and holidays, which the study links strongly to reduced labor productivity.
The group stated, "Not only sleep duration but also sleep quality and irregular sleep schedules were found to be strongly associated with declines in labor productivity." Their estimate points to an annual economic loss of around ¥1 trillion in Japan.
As the first large-scale study to investigate the connection between sleep patterns and work output, it highlights issues stemming from weekday-dominated routines. Keywords include sleep, health, surveys, and University of Tsukuba.
