Well-Being

April 23, 2006

 

Japan Plans to Reduce Annual Suicides by 25% within 10 Years

Keywords: Government Policy / Systems Well-Being 

At present, Japan has in excess of 30,000 suicides a year, making the suicide rate per 100,000 people the 10th highest in the world and the highest among developed countries. The Japanese government regards this as a pressing issue, and thus compiled a set of comprehensive measures in December 2005.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan recorded around 25,000 annual suicides until 1997, but in 1998, the number exceeded 30,000 and has since remained at this level. Together with the elderly, males in their 50s are among the groups most likely to commit suicide. The most common causes for suicides are health problems, followed by financial, life and family problems.

The proposed measures include: 1) analysis of the circumstances surrounding suicides and expansion of information services, 2) improvement of consultation services, and 3) job creation and early job-placement assistance for the unemployed. The government hopes that these measures will help reduce the annual numbers of suicides by about 25 percent by 2015.

http://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/index.html

Posted: 2006/04/23 01:36:16 PM
Japanese version

 

このページの先頭へ