Japan calls for more support amid rising youth suicides

Tokyo, October 23 - A Japanese government white paper has highlighted the need for increased support to lower the risks of suicide and self-harm among young individuals through connections with medical institutions. Last year, there were a record 538 suicides among elementary, junior high, and high school students, marking the second consecutive year of this alarming trend, as stated in the 2026 white paper on suicide prevention measures.

To mark the 20th anniversary of the suicide prevention basic law, the white paper examined patterns in suicide rates. From 1998 until 2010, Japan experienced a high number of suicides, in the 30,000 range, due to worsening economic conditions. However, the number began to decline in 2010, reaching a record low of 19,188 in 2022.

Over the past two decades, suicide rates have decreased among housewives and employed men living with others. The suicide rate, which calculates the number of suicides per 100,000 people, dropped significantly among middle-aged or older men, likely due to a reduction in socioeconomic factors driving suicides.