Asterra Occupational Health Office, based in Shinjuku, Tokyo, provides professional occupational health services by licensed physicians. We support companies with occupational health management, mental health care, overwork prevention, return-to-work planning, workplace inspections, health promotion programs, and training on women’s health across different life stages.
We provide services mainly in Tokyo and also support companies nationwide through online consultations.
Support for International and Foreign-Affiliated Companies
Occupational physician consultations can be conducted in English. We support international employees and HR teams with mental health consultations, overwork-related interviews, health check follow-up, sick leave and return-to-work planning, and workplace accommodations.
- Occupational health consultations in English
- English communication with HR and labor relations teams
- Mental health and return-to-work support for international employees
- Explanation of Japan’s occupational health system to overseas headquarters
- Online consultations for companies throughout Japan
The scope of service depends on the contract and the individual case. Please contact us with your company location, workforce size, and the type of support required.
Message from the Director
Hello, I’m Ayuko Suwanai, Director of Asterra Occupational Health Office.
With over 20 years of clinical experience and more than 7 years of experience as an occupational physician, I am committed to helping companies create healthier, safer, and more sustainable workplaces.
Employee health issues are diverse, including mental health, lifestyle-related diseases, infectious diseases, women’s health, pregnancy and childbirth, work-life balance, childcare, caregiving, sick leave, and return-to-work support. We aim to provide practical and sustainable support for both companies and employees.
Credentials
- 2002 – MD, Keio University School of Medicine
- 2014 – PhD in Medicine, Keio University Graduate School of Medicine
- Clinical experience at Keio University Hospital and affiliated hospitals/clinics
- Board-certified Pediatrician and Trainer
- Certified Occupational Health Consultant
- Completed Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 Contact Tracing Course
We also work closely with Dr. Hirotsugu Suwanai (MD, PhD), an internal medicine specialist, to support employee health from both physical and mental health perspectives.
Our Strengths
- Professional support by licensed physicians and occupational physicians
- Flexible service structure in collaboration with multiple physicians
- Support for mental health, sick leave, and return-to-work planning
- Assistance with health and safety committees, workplace inspections, and corporate health promotion
- Training on preconception care and women’s health across different life stages
- Support for working parents, younger employees, and diverse workplace health needs
- Online consultations available for companies nationwide
Services
- Regular and online occupational physician consultations
- Participation in Health and Safety Committee meetings
- Workplace inspections and improvement proposals
- Workability evaluations based on health checkup results
- Interviews and reports for overworked employees
- Post–stress check interviews and workplace improvement support
- Workability evaluations for mental health cases
- Return-to-work program planning and assessment
- Health education and management training
- Training and health education on preconception care
- Training on women’s health across different life stages, including menstruation, PMS, menopause, pregnancy, childbirth, and balancing work with childcare
- Infection control and vaccination-related consultation
- Support for health promotion and certification programs
Location & Coverage
Address:
Shinjuku Island Tower 2F
6-5-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
Tokyo 163-1302, Japan
We mainly serve companies in Tokyo and can also provide nationwide support through online consultations.
Contact
Please reach out through our inquiry form for details regarding occupational physician contracts, online consultations, workplace health management, return-to-work support, and training on women’s health.
What is an Occupational Physician?
An occupational physician is a medical professional who supports the health of workers in a company by applying medical knowledge to workplace improvement and health management. Unlike physicians who focus on treating illness, their main goals are to prevent health problems and support safe working environments.
Under Japan’s Industrial Safety and Health Act, companies above a certain size are required to appoint occupational physicians. Their roles are expanding in response to workforce diversity, increasing attention to mental health, overwork prevention, and workplace harassment.
Appointment Requirements
The following requirements are defined by law for appointing occupational physicians:
| Workplace Size | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 50 or more employees | Occupational physician must be appointed |
| 1,000 or more employees or hazardous work | Full-time occupational physician required |
In small and medium enterprises, part-time occupational physicians are commonly appointed under contract.
Main Duties of Occupational Physicians
1. Regular Workplace Rounds
Monthly inspections are conducted to assess work environments, including lighting, ventilation, noise, and ergonomics. Recommendations are made based on risk assessment.
2. Health Checkup Management
Results from periodic, pre-employment, and special medical checkups are reviewed. Necessary follow-up measures or referrals to medical institutions are advised.
3. Interviews for Long Working Hours
Interviews are conducted with employees working long hours to monitor their health, as required by the Act on Overwork Prevention.
4. Mental Health Support
Support is provided to employees with depression or anxiety disorders. Interviews following stress checks and return-to-work assistance are included.
5. Attendance at Health and Safety Committees
Occupational physicians attend these committees to address workplace health and safety issues and provide advice for improvement.
6. Judging Fitness for Return to Work
Medical judgment is made regarding return to work after illness, along with planning and support for reintegration.
7. Legal Compliance Advising
Support is provided to help companies develop systems compliant with the Industrial Safety and Health Act and Labor Standards Act.
Three Key Roles of Occupational Physicians
- Preventive Medicine Specialist: Helps build environments that prevent illness.
- Legal Compliance Advisor: Designs systems in line with safety and health laws.
- Neutral Supporter: Assists both employers and employees to improve workplaces.
Occupational Physician Qualifications
- Completion of Japan Medical Association occupational physician training
- Licensed occupational health consultant (national certification)
- Certified occupational medicine specialist (Japan Society for Occupational Health)
Doctors from various medical fields work as occupational physicians.
Why Occupational Physicians Are Increasingly Important
- Growing number of employees with mental health issues
- Need to correct long working hours and overwork
- Workplace harassment measures
- Health management for aging employees
- New health challenges from teleworking
Occupational physicians provide medical support in areas where companies may struggle to make independent decisions.
Summary
Occupational physicians are vital partners for companies to protect worker health. Creating safe and supportive work environments contributes to higher productivity, lower turnover, and improved corporate image.
At our office, experienced occupational physicians offer tailored support for your company. We also offer online consultations and nationwide services. Please feel free to contact us.