A district court in Mie Prefecture has ordered the operator of a Mister Donut franchise to pay ¥46 million in damages, finding that the death of a store manager was a case of karoshi (death from overwork).

The manager's family was seeking around ¥95 million in damages from confectionery maker Takeya Co., based in Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture. The Tsu District Court on Monday ordered a smaller amount, ruling that the male manager should have reduced the risk to his health by loosing weight.

The manager was put in charge of two outlets in Tsu in July 2011. He died in May the next year at age 50. Managing two stores at the same time increased his workload and forced him to work long hours, presiding Judge Osamu Okada said.