Top 500 Youth Suicides in Japan, Govt. calls to the support network

A report by the Japanese government shows that the number of suicides among children and teenagers in Japan remains high, with more than 500 cases in 2023. The Government is calling for a support network to prevent young people from becoming alienated.

The Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting on Tuesday approved the annual white paper on suicide prevention.

The White Paper said that 21,837 people committed suicide in Japan last year, which is 44 fewer than the previous year. The report says that the number of men who committed suicide increased for the second year in a row, while the number among women fell for the first time in 4 years.

The number of people of high school age and younger who took their own lives was 513, about the same as last year, when the number reached a record high.

A detailed study of the causes of youth suicides since 2009 has shown that family problems account for a significant proportion of children of primary school age. School-related problems accounted for a large percentage of junior and senior high school students. Among high school girls, health problems occupied a high percentage.

The report added that youth suicides increased in late August and peaked on September 1.

Officials say the government will work with municipalities and private organizations to prevent troubled youth from feeling isolated.