Suicide among young Japanese remains high despite 7.2% drop in total of people of all ages
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Men who kill themselves yearly in Japan double the number women who do so but the total number of people of all ages who die by suicide fell 7.2 per cent in 2024, despite the figure for young students remaining high with only a slight reduction.
Japan saw a record number of suicides among young students in 2024, Health Ministry data showed on Wednesday.
The latest data among those in elementary through high school edged up to 527 from 513 cases in 2023, the ministry said, per reporting by AFP.
The total number of people of all ages dying by suicide fell 7.2 per cent to 20,268, sharply lower from the record high of 34,427 cases in 2003.
The number among people aged younger than 20, including those at school, also fell to 800 in 2024 from 810 in 2023, the latest data showed.
“We regard this very seriously,” Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Keiichiro Tachibana told journalists.
“We will continue do our utmost to take measures to protect children’s lives and to realise a society where no one is pressed into taking their own life,” he said.
The Health Ministry was expected to issue its analysis of the data in March after more figures become available.
Japan annually sees the number of teen suicides rise at the end of every summer break in late August through early September, prompting the government and media to heighten public calls for struggling teens to seek help.
The exact reasons for the bulk of student suicides remain unknown.
Past analysis has shown teens contending with several pressures, including related to studies, bullying, relationships, career choices and health issues.
At the peak in 2003, the number of men killing themselves in Japan outnumbered women by almost three to one.
Rates for men have fallen sharply since, although they are still roughly double those of women.
The drop is credited to aggressive awareness campaigns, mental health services and efforts to improve the rigorous workplace culture.
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