The number of suicides in Japan last year exceeded 30,000 for the fifth consecutive year. That's more than three times the number of deaths from traffic accidents. The high incidence of suicide is attributed mainly to the prolonged economic slump. This situation demands efforts in various fields to implement specific preventive measures, including improvements in mental health care.
The annual number of suicides in Japan used to average about 20,000. In 1998, though, the figure began soaring past 30,000. It remained nearly level for a while and then rose further last year for the first time in three years. Now suicide ranks as the sixth leading cause of death among Japanese people. For people in their 20s and 30s, it is the leading cause of death.
Another characteristic of the current trend is that suicide is increasing among middle-aged men. According to statistics compiled by the National Police Agency, the number of suicides motivated by economic difficulty rose to a record high 8,000 people last year. Background factors included unemployment, restructuring and debts.