Working without limits: Japan's teachers battle for change

in Japan, teachers work some of the longest hours in the world, saddled with tasks from cleaning and supervising school commutes to after-school clubs. Photo: AFP

In one of his last diary entries, Japanese teacher Yoshio Kudo lamented workdays that started early and could last until nearly midnight. Two months later, he suffered "karoshi" – death from overwork.

Kudo's taxing schedule was far from an exception in Japan, where teachers work some of the longest hours in the world, saddled with tasks from cleaning and supervising school commutes to after-school clubs.