Child suicides in Japan hit record high of 527 in 2024

Soul crushingly depressing

I have to feel someone failed these kids. It could be a society that allows them on social media.

 further analysis is needed to understand the contributing factors better.

FGS what 'further analysis' is needed - this is not a new phenomena.

This country will always prefer to discuss things to death rather than getting of its proverbial backside and doing anything about it.

While the increase in the number of child suicides is unfortunate, the good news is that the overall number has decreased. There are plenty of jobs available due to the labor shortage, and the welfare system seems to be responding. Suicides due to health problems may be unavoidable in an aging population situation.

Not a good news but the total numbers keep decreasing in Japan, it's a good thing..

"" A Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare official called the situation "serious" and said further analysis is needed to understand the contributing factors better. ""

Jr. high and Elementary age kids taking their own lives is just beyond comprehension, not sure what ""further analysis"" is needed to tell you that you got a problem on hand so solve it or move on and let others handle it.

School-related issues accounted for 578 cases, while 42 suicides were associated with trouble involving social media or online interactions.

All were related to the misguided thinking that killing themselves would solve whatever temporary problem they were facing.

A feature of youth suicide is the idea in the mind that they will be able to witness the affect on those left behind....either "look at what you drove me to " or "couldnt you see my pain "

This info comes from survivors and those who were contemplating suicide.

Adult suicides usually dont have this feature....more a way to just end it all because of mental pain.

Children who took their lives did not see a promising future for them. And that defines what Japan is heading to right now.

As someone who was suicidal from 4 years old, made a first attempt at 9, and engaged in parasuicidal behavior throughout my entire teen years before starting psychotherapy at 23 and (most importantly) rigorous, Olympiad exercise at 35, iiiiiiiiiii understand.

Blackpassenger above...kudos for your bravery in surviving and disclosing .

More strength to you mate !

Why people are having problems with the phrase "further analysis"?

If the cause of child suicides is not detected how you suggest to prevent it then?

Are you saying that bullying, social media are the main reasons for child suicide? And if so what is your idea of preventing it then?

Some may say "stop bullying"... how? by imprisoning the bullies?

The same for social media... not allow childs to have social media? and with that everything will be cured?

I don't think is that simple.

Also, further analysis is not sinonimous of "not doing anything". The article only covers the data regarding the suicide cases. But there are many iniciative taken by the society in general to counter this phenomena.

That there is much to be done, yes... But again, to do something and for it to be effective "further analysis" is needed.

The child population falls every year, so the number of child suicides should be falling not rising.

Nearly 2/3 are in senior high. Senior high is not compulsory education. Children who don't like it to the point of mental anguish shouldn't go. Lots of successful people do not use anything learnt at senior high in their jobs. Many careers with labour shortages do not need such studies. Conversely, the UK now has university grads working in cafes because they cannot get graduate jobs. They have huge college debts to do a job they could have done at 16. Higher education, esp. away from home, is a fine experience, but college isn't the only place you can read books and acquire skills.

https://www.theguardian.com/money/article/2024/aug/29/uk-graduates-struggle-job-market#:~:text=Although%20most%20UK%20students%20find,in%20England%20aged%2021%2D30

A Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare official called the situation "serious" and said further analysis is needed to understand the contributing factors better.

Contributing factors are well identified, the problem is that solving them requires deep social change that would break up lots of things that are considered untouchable, so "further analysis" here means mostly people are trying to solve the problem but leave the fundamental causes untouched, which is obviously an impossible task.

Not much to celebrate with the sinking rate among adults. Of course the adult suicide rate decreases when they already increasingly commit suicide at schools, or does anyone think they can do it twice, in childhood and again as an adult?

this happens in society where kids are missing real human feelings.

they are part of parents "business plan" to be numero uno.even kids are lacking IQ,skills etc.

go to school,than juku,than homeworks,than tests,than events.no time to be a child,playing games with friends in park,talking with parents over dinner at home etc.

"Child suicides in Japan hit record high of 527 in 2024."

Nothing breaks parents hearts than losing a child as I understand "Health issues were the most common reasons behind suicides, accounting for 11,986 cases, followed by problems related to economic and life issues at 5,075 and family problems at 4,334." However a strange it might sound we also have adopted a culture of glorifying death which pushes this kids further into suicidal mentality. Please, let's not forget one crucial point. The Almighty God never designed death it came about through the envy of the devil. Glorify and seek life not death.

A Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare official called the situation "serious" and said further analysis is needed to understand the contributing factors better.

I know it serves little purpose in venting and trying to scapegoat this terrible news, but this, “we need ‘further analysis’” type generic throw to comment just really makes you think how engaged are these guys really in this problem. Ministries, please try and at least commit to a comment ( name a few of the leading factors and what can be done) instead of passing the ball with this sort of weak meaningless drivel. I think most of us in here would be able to start the ball rolling for yaz, an outdated education system that learned absolutely nothing from the Covid pandemic maybe a place to start. An across the board systemic failure of people NOT acting on the many tell tale signs too maybe worth a look. Is it too painful to point out that everyone needs to pick up their game, especially for the youth?

How about a campaign to notice, pause and engage those in dire straits. Anything!

Further analysis, please.

Seems that Japan is lower than other countries, US, France, Canada, UK, Australia. Still awful.

https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/suicide-rates-among-young-people-who-mdb

I know this story is about young suicides which is very sad but the general percentage of all suicides in Japan is actually lower than Australia and NZ.

Alongfor the ride...nope...wrong mate.

I checked

Per 100,000 people Australia is around 12 people, Japan around 17 people.

Didnt check NZ.

Maybe you could check yourself before the response post

A feature of youth suicide is the idea in the mind that they will be able to witness the affect on those left behind....either "look at what you drove me to " or "couldnt you see my pain "

How are they going to witness if they are dead?

Mr. Kipling....youth in good health are not rational.

Youth with a mongrel mental illness called depression even less so.

My comments are not my own, but repeat some findings on youth suicide in other countries.

Sad that all the records being broken about children are negative.

The child population falls every year, so the number of child suicides should be falling not rising.

I'd be interested to know if the rate of suicide is higher among single kids than those with brothers or sisters. I understand the number of single-child families is increasing.

A record 527 children attending elementary, junior high and senior high schools in Japan died by suicide last year.

And about 12,000,000 didn't. Obviously each case is devastating for the families involved but try to keep it in perspective.

chotto_2Today  08:16 am JST

 further analysis is needed to understand the contributing factors better.

FGS what 'further analysis' is needed - this is not a new phenomena.

This country will always prefer to discuss things to death rather than getting of its proverbial backside and doing anything about it.

What's your solution then?

Suicide is, in almost all cases, a permanent solution to a temporary problem. It's especially sad that young people can't hold on and get help, and that as parents and society we sometimes let them down in getting that help.

It would be helpful and greatly appreciated if the article listed what conditions fall into the "health issues" bucket.

That is one number I'd like to see at zero worldwide. I don't think I ever even said that word as a child. I hope there's peace for all of them wherever their souls have journeyed.

Bret TToday 01:27 am JST

It would be helpful and greatly appreciated if the article listed what conditions fall into the "health issues" bucket.

Gee, I dunno, chronic debilitating pain in any part of your body, paralysis, disability, disfigurement, etc. etc. The expression certainly is true, that "if you have your health, everything else is fixable".

Mr KiplingJan. 30 05:21 pm JST

A feature of youth suicide is the idea in the mind that they will be able to witness the affect on those left behind....either "look at what you drove me to " or "couldnt you see my pain "

How are they going to witness if they are dead?

I think that is the whole point: they're not able to think it through. Even some adults do this.

Sadly, the society and the System all failed those poor kids. You have to be extremely desperate at this young age to take your own life.

The parents failed them, the teachers failed them, the government failed them. Japan ireversebly failed all those suicide kids and nobody is wondering why or how...