Mondays had the most suicides in Japan in 2003, with the most common hour being around 5 a.m. for men and around noon for women, an analysis by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare showed Friday.

The ministry analyzed suicides in 2003 according to the day of the week, excluding national and yearend holidays, and the hour they took place.

The number of suicides rose to a record high 32,109 in the reporting year, exceeding 30,000 for the sixth straight year, the ministry said.