The inquiry into healthy work can be determined comprehensively by research with social science such as law, economics, and sociology, in addition to by natural science including medicine, toxicology, and engineering. The Social Science and Occupational Health Research Group, established in fiscal year 2021 at our institute, conducts research on 1) occupational health practice in the workplace, health problems associated with work style, and time course of health issues at work, and 2) essential requirements for healthy work environment and social factors disturbing workers' health to cause overwork-related death/disorders (KAROSHI). Outcomes of this research group are shared by the other groups of research in the institute to indicate evidence to create healthy, better work environment and conditions in a multidisciplinary manner.

The Social Science and Occupational Health Research Group also has an important mission to conduct surveys to show the labour and social aspects leading to overwork-related death/disorders, in collaboration with the Research Center for Overwork-Related Disorders (RECORDs). This task is specified on the outline of measures preventing KAROSHI in the Japanese Government. Mutual communications between this group and RECORDs produce significant benefits to identify innovative approach at both sides. Findings obtained by these surveys are incorporated into the White Paper of Preventive Measures for KAROSHI as an annual report.

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