Last year, there were 538 suicides among elementary, high school and college students, the highest number since data began being collected in 1980.
The Japanese Government approved this Tuesday an action plan to try to reduce the record numbers of child suicides recorded in the country, including family conciliation measures and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to identify risks.
“Child and youth suicide is a serious problem that must be taken very seriously,” declared Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, quoted by the local news agency Kyodo.
The leader chaired the meeting of the Council for the Promotion of Policies for Children, which this year focused on preventing suicide among minors. Among the measures approved are the creation of regional government councils, collaboration between schools and medical institutions, as well as the use of AI to identify suicide risks. The plan also includes incentives for companies that actively support child care and promote support services for families.
According to the Minister of Children, Hitoshi Kikawada, the measures should come into force “before the end of the year”, with cooperation between ministries and relevant bodies.
According to statistics from the National Police Agency and the Ministry of Health, Last year, there were 538 suicides among primary, secondary and university students, the highest number since data began being collected in 1980 — even though the national suicide total has fallen to one of the lowest figures since 1978.
Japan’s fight against child suicide is not new. It is seen by experts as closely linked to the common and demanding institutions of childhood: school, family and peer life.
O bullying — ijime — is one of the most visible public explanations, especially after several media cases. But the crisis is much more complex, in the view of experts, who point to academic pressure and anxiety about the future.
There is also a seasonal pattern. An increase in youth suicides has long been reported in Japan around the time of returning to school after long vacations, especially in early September. Studies based on national death records between 1974 and 2014 found evidence that the school calendar is associated with seasonal patterns in youth suicide.
A pandemic appears to have worsened an already fragile situation. A 2023 study published in JAMA Network Open found that suicide mortality among students in Japan was declining before COVID-19 but unexpectedly increased during the pandemic.
