
AI-generated summary
Twenty years have passed since the Basic Act on Suicide Countermeasures was enacted, and this white paper analyzes all suicides to date by gender, occupation, and presence or absence of people living together.
On September 4th, the draft outline of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare's white paper on suicide countermeasures, which summarizes the number of suicides in 2025, was revealed. Analyzing trends in the number of suicides since 2009 based on gender, occupation, etc. It has become clear that while the overall number of suicides is decreasing, the number of suicides among "students" continues to increase, especially among women. The white paper is expected to be approved by the Cabinet as early as this fall.
The total number of suicides in 2025 was 19,188. The number of people fell below 20,000 for the first time since statistics began. However, the number of suicides among "students" increased for the second consecutive year to 1,082. The number of elementary, junior high, and high school students was 538, the highest number since 1980, when statistics were first available.
This year marks 20 years since the Basic Act on Suicide Countermeasures was enacted. This white paper analyzes all suicides to date by gender, occupation, and presence or absence of cohabitants. As a result, although the overall number of suicides was on the decline, the number of suicides among both men and women, single employed people without anyone living with them, recipients of pensions and employment insurance, students, etc. remained unchanged. The same was true for women who had family members living with them.
Suicide among children and young people is also a serious problem. Of the elementary, junior high and high school students who committed suicide in 2025, 258 were boys and 280 were girls. Among all elementary, junior high, and high school students, ``school problems'' was the most common cause of suicide at 251 cases. This was followed by 174 cases of health problems and 147 cases of family problems.
In response to this situation, the government will strengthen its response. Next fiscal year, the Children and Families Agency plans to establish and strengthen the functions of statutory councils formed by police, schools, medical institutions, etc., and to create grants to increase their effectiveness. Hitoshi Kikawada, the Minister in charge of Children's Policy, stated on August 31, ``We will utilize ICT and AI to advance initiatives that will lead to early detection of suicide risk.We will not only wait for people to come in for consultation, but we will also expand the system across the country to notice abnormalities in the community and quickly connect them with support.'' (August 31)
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[Consultation]
○NPO Suicide Prevention Support Center Lifelink
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○NPO Tokyo Mental Health Square
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○Japan Life Telephone Federation (General Incorporated Association) “Life Telephone”
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Telephone: 0570・783・556
○NPO BOND Project
*Consultation for women in their teens to 20s
LINE https://page.line.me/ahl0608p?openQrModal=true
○NPO Childline Support Center
*Consultation for children under 18 years old
Phone 0120・99・7777
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Next fiscal year, the Children and Families Agency will set up a statutory council made up of police, schools, medical institutions, etc., and strengthen its functions.
Very likely · Within months
Efforts to lead to early detection of suicide risk using ICT and AI will be expanded across the country
Likely · Within months

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