A recent investigation by researchers at Nihon University has unveiled a troubling association between lengthy school commutes and heightened levels of depression and anxiety among high school students in Japan. The study, which surveyed around 2,000 students attending private high schools in the Tokyo metropolitan area and Tohoku region, found that 17.3% of participants displayed signs of depression while 19% showed anxiety symptoms.

The findings indicate that students with commutes exceeding one hour are 1.6 times more likely to suffer from depression and 1.5 times more likely to experience anxiety than their peers who have shorter travel times. Alarmingly, about 30% of those surveyed reported that their commute to school takes longer than an hour.

Professor Yuichiro Otsuka, who specializes in public health and led the study, strongly advises parents to explore alternative transportation options or to consider schools that are closer to home. Co-researcher Suguru Nakajima emphasized the importance of recognizing the impact of travel time on students' mental well-being when making educational choices.

Otsuka identified three key factors that contribute to the link between long commutes and mental health issues. First, the physical and emotional strain of commuting—such as lengthy walks or bike rides combined with crowded public transport—can heighten stress and discomfort. Secondly, extended travel times can hamper students’ ability to study and engage in extracurricular activities or social interactions. Lastly, the need to wake up early and potentially sacrifice sleep during the weekdays can disrupt natural sleep patterns, causing social jet lag, which is particularly pronounced during adolescence.

Historically, research surrounding the effects of commute duration on mental health in Japan has been sparse. Experts warn that psychological difficulties during teenage years can manifest into serious mental health disorders in adulthood and are associated with higher risks of violence and suicide. A previous survey by the NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute indicated that the average daily commute for Japanese high school students is one hour and 21 minutes.

To alleviate the pressures on students, Otsuka suggests that schools adopt measures to limit commuting burdens, potentially through adjustments in educational delivery, such as online learning, or by shifting the start times of school to later in the morning. Some private institutions already impose limitations on travel times, making it a requirement for students to reside within a 90-minute radius of their school.

In comparison, the American Academy of Pediatrics has advocated for a similar approach, recommending that middle and high schools start no earlier than 8:30 a.m. to support adolescent health, a move that has prompted California to pass laws mandating later school start times.