The number of children under 18 orphaned by suicides last year is estimated to have reached about 12,000, a report released by an educational organization revealed Friday.

A total of 13,771 men and 4,294 women between the ages of 25 and 59 thought likely to be supporting children reportedly killed themselves last year, according to the Ashinaga Scholarship Society.

Corporate restructuring and overwork against the backdrop of the prolonged recession are believed to be the main reasons behind the suicides, officials of the Tokyo-based society said.