For much of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, Japan faced persistently high suicide rates. According to the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare, annual suicides exceeded 30,000 for 14 consecutive years from 1998. Numbers began falling in 2010, dipped below 30,000 in 2012, and reached a record low of 20,169 in 2019. In 2024, suicides dropped to 20,268—down 1,569 from the previous year and the second-lowest total since records began in 1978—following an uptick during the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, overall numbers do not tell the full story. Among demographic groups, suicides among students—particularly female students—have risen. In terms of motives, health-related problems remain the leading cause, followed by economic issues and family problems. Suicide is not a standalone problem, and it is closely tied to broader social issues that should be front of mind as Japan tackles this problem, such as educational stress, economic anxieties, and a sense of public insecurity.
The rate per 100,000 people fell by 1.3 points to 16.3. Of Japan’s 47 prefectures, 38 reported declines, with Iwate posting the highest rate and Tottori recording the lowest. By age, people in their fifties accounted for the most suicides at 3,786, followed by those in their forties at 3,205, with both figures showing year-on-year declines. In contrast, suicides among primary and secondary school students rose to 1,072, the highest since records began in 1980. High school students made up the largest share, with 349 cases. Notably, female student suicides surpassed male for the first time: 288 girls versus 239 boys. Also, research in 2024 showed that young women under 40 saw the steepest rise in suicide rates during the pandemic.
The latest white paper on suicide prevention for the current fiscal year summarized causes among students. Among university and vocational students, academic failure was the leading factor for men, while health issues were most common for women. Suicides peaked at age 21, reflecting anxiety about post-graduation plans.
Okaku Terumi, CEO of the suicide prevention group “Live on,” told NHK that many children fear how they are judged by others. While eager to voice opinions, they often feel pressured to conform. Bullying, once confined to schools, now follows them home via social media. She added that while the government encourages children to seek help, adults cannot always respond effectively. She pointed to economic strains and a shortage of teachers as underlying problems.
The age gap in the classroom also matters. A 2015 study analyzing suicide statistics among Japanese youths aged 15 to 25 from 1989 to 2010 found that those born just before the school cutoff date—and therefore younger within their cohort—had higher suicide rates, underscoring the mental health risks associated with age disparities, such as bullying and academic difficulties. These figures and findings suggest that students from primary to university levels face educational stress, though the sources vary—from academic failure and peer pressure to bullying.
Moreover, a 2024 study based on 2009–2019 data showed that men in their fifties, unemployed men, and self-employed individuals face the greatest added risk of suicide when economic uncertainty rises. The correlation was three times stronger for men than for women, with particularly high risks among self-employed men in urban areas. These findings highlight the impact of economic uncertainty on suicide—an issue that remains highly relevant today amid concerns about inflation and rising food prices.
Despite overall declines, suicide remains the leading cause of death among Japanese children and teenagers—unique among G7 nations. Hospitalizations for self-harm and suicide attempts have risen since 2019. According to a report by the Japan Suicide Countermeasures Promotion Center, in 2023, 42,977 people were transported to hospitals after injuring or attempting to kill themselves, up 2,721 from the previous year, which averages 118 cases per day. We can see that although suicides declined, attempted suicides did not.
Japan’s broader crime trends may have added to public unease. Overall crime declined steadily from 2002 but rebounded after pandemic restrictions eased. In 2024, reported crimes rose 4.9% to 737,679. Theft accounted for two-thirds of cases and rose 3.7%, while fraud jumped 24.6%. Authorities warn of crimes facilitated by social media, often involving loosely organized “tokuryu” groups. Serious crimes surged 18.1% to 14,614 cases. Among them, rape rose by 45.2% and indecent assault by 14.7%. Child abuse arrests also rose 9.4% to 2,385. Meanwhile, arrests of juveniles aged 14 to 19 rose to 34,768 in 2023, marking a 16.3% year-on-year increase, although still far below levels of the past decade.
While suicide and crime may seem distinct issues, the rise in serious crimes can damage public perceptions of safety and heighten psychological stress. Younger people struggling with mental health issues are also vulnerable—both as victims of crimes and, in some cases, as perpetrators, such as through social media. Sometimes, suicide and crime are tied together by how they similarly relate to broader social issues.
In fact, public perception of safety has been shaken by high-profile crimes. The 2019 Kyoto Animation fire, which killed 36 people, ended with a death sentence for the arsonist in 2024. In 2023, Kimura Ryūji received a 10-year sentence for an attempted bomb attack on former Prime Minister Kishida Fumio. In 2025, Shiraishi Takahiro, the “Twitter Killer,” was executed for murdering nine people he lured online. In the same year, an influencer who streamed under the name Mogami Ai was fatally stabbed by a man who tracked her livestreams after a financial dispute.
The latter two cases may have heightened anxiety among young people who are active on social media and fear being harassed or stalked online. As Okaku noted, social media—once regarded as a space for students to express themselves and connect with others after school—has also become a platform fraught with risks related to digital fraud, cyberbullying, and personal safety.
In 2023, the government adopted an urgent plan to strengthen suicide prevention among children. Measures include early identification of risks, improved support systems, and better coordination of data. Recent statistics show that, despite an overall decline, suicide remains a pressing issue for young people—especially young women. Research also highlights elevated risks for men in their fifties, unemployed men, and self-employed individuals, particularly during times of economic uncertainty.
Ultimately, suicide is not a standalone problem but is closely tied to broader social issues such as educational stress, financial pressures, and public perceptions of safety—underscoring the need for Japan to expand its existing prevention strategies such as websites providing telephone hotlines and social media support while also addressing economic and public safety issues and strengthening mental health resources in schools, workplaces, and local communities.
The discussion above highlights the importance of looking beyond overall trends of increase or decrease in suicide rates over time and instead examining suicide patterns across different demographic groups in greater detail. It also underscores the need to understand the motives behind suicide within a broader socioeconomic context. For example, it is crucial to consider how the school environment, social media, and home life each contribute to students’ psychological well-being, particularly in light of factors such as peer pressure, parental economic insecurity, and social media-related risks. Given the complexity of the issue, it is essential not only for the government to publish detailed statistics on a regular basis but also for researchers in relevant fields to analyze these data and develop evidence-based policy recommendations.
If you are struggling with depression or thoughts of suicide contact TELL Japan at 0800-300-8355 (TOLL FREE) or visit their website at https://telljp.com/
Peter Chai, or Kai Shibata is a Ph.D. Researcher at the Graduate School of Political Science, Waseda University, Tokyo. He holds a BA in Economics and MA in Political Science from Waseda University. His research areas are political sociology, comparative politics, and public opinion. His research methodology is survey analysis, and his regional focus is East Asia. His articles have appeared on Nikkei Asia, The Diplomat, and East Asia Forum.
