TOKYO, Oct. 19 (Xinhuanet) -- Claims for compensation over work-related mental disorders from April to September hit a record 246 cases, a government report said Tuesday.

    The number of the applications related to mental disorders, including depression, rose by 43 from the same period last year. Applications involving 47 people had been approved, also a record high, said the preliminary report compiled by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.

    The number of mental disorder-related cases recognized by the ministry has been on a gradual rise, registering 100 in fiscal 2002 and 108 in fiscal 2003, according to the ministry.

    The 246 applications for the six-month period include 56 overwork-related suicide and attempted suicide cases, of which 22 applications were approved. Enditem