Suicides in Japan fall below 20,000 for 1st time in 2025

Suicides among elementary, junior high and senior high school students came to 532, hitting a record high for the second straight year since comparable data became available in 1980.

The overall number of suicides fell by 1,223 from the previous year's final count, according to the health ministry data based on National Police Agency statistics.

Suicides totaled 13,117 among men and 5,980 among women.

The suicide rate, measured by the number of suicides per population of 100,000, came to 15.4. Final figures will be released in March.

"The number of suicides by middle-aged and elderly men is decreasing, and the number of cases triggered by poor business performance and debts is also decreasing," a health ministry official said, adding that economic trends may have had an impact on suicide cases.

By age group, suicides fell year on year for all groups except those aged 19 and under. People in their 50s made up the largest group of suicides, at 3,732, followed by people in their 40s, at 2,951.

Suicides among students totaled 1,074.

The number of suicides stood at 10 among elementary school children, 170 among junior high school students and 352 among high school students, with their total rising by three from the previous year's final figure.

The number has remained high since around 2020.

"Suicide numbers are high among high school students and junior high school girls, with an increasing number of cases in which mental health issues worsen and lead to suicide," the official said.

Based on the revised basic law on suicide countermeasures, which is set to come into force in April this year, the ministry will enhance measures to prevent suicides among children in cooperation with the Children and Families Agency.

Health problems were the most common motive across all age groups, and problems related to economic, life and family issues were also notable.

Suicide numbers decreased in 40 of the country's 47 prefectures.

Yamanashi had the highest suicide rate, at 21.4, followed by Niigata, at 20.2, and Aomori, at 19.6.

The rate was the lowest in Tottori, at 10.7, followed by Ishikawa, at 12.5, and Kyoto, at 12.7.