AI Mental Support Expands Services for Workplace Wellness Ahead of Stress Check Mandate

A New Era for Workplace Wellness

AI Mental Support Co., Ltd., led by CEO Hisashi Narui and located in Shibuya, Tokyo, is gearing up to officially expand its operations from July 2026. With a firm commitment to enhancing workplace mental health, the company will focus on three core services: AI Stress Checks, AI Industrial Physician Navigation, and Consulting. This strategic move aligns with the anticipated mandatory stress checks for companies with fewer than 50 employees, which will take effect in May 2028. These initiatives are rooted in the vision of creating a world where individual happiness and corporate growth can coexist.

Understanding the Background: The Mental Health Crisis in Japan

The necessity for such support stems from a critical issue in Japan’s corporate landscape. It is estimated that the economic losses due to employees' mental health issues exceed 7 trillion yen annually, approximately 1% of Japan's GDP. Alarmingly, over 57% of companies report having experienced employee absences or resignations due to mental health conditions. This rising concern has inevitably made mental health a pressing business issue for Japanese enterprises.

By May 2028, the implementation of mandatory stress checks will extend to smaller organizations with less than 50 employees, which had previously been excluded from such requirements. As Japan shifts its approach from treatment to prevention, companies must establish a systemic framework to continuously assess and improve their employees’ mental health.

However, organizations with fewer than 50 employees often face three significant challenges that hinder their ability to comply with these mandates effectively:

1. Inadequate Implementation of Stress Checks: Many smaller companies lack dedicated HR professionals and the resources necessary to conduct stress assessments, making it challenging to meet legal requirements.
2. Difficulty in Securing and Utilizing Industrial Physicians: While it becomes obligatory to appoint an industrial physician once the workforce exceeds 50 employees, many businesses are unsure of how to find suitable professionals or what specific services to request, often resulting in superficial compliance.
3. Underutilization of Collected Data: Even when stress checks are conducted, companies frequently lack clarity on how to translate the results into meaningful organizational improvements, leading to a cycle of