How Japan’s suicide rate is still a major social issue

Suicide is a complex issue with causes that vary depending on the individual and country. Japan in particular is known for its high rate of suicides, which many attribute to cultural factors such as harsh working environments. What exactly is behind Japan’s suicide rate, and how many of the common perceptions of its causes are true?

Societal pressures are certainly one reason. For all of the country’s good points, Japanese schools and workplaces can be strict, with high pressure to succeed and expectations to study and work long hours. These pressures continue throughout many Japanese people’s lives. Even after studying hard to pass university entrance exams, they then face intense competition to secure a good, stable job.

Even if they’re accepted into a major company, Japanese employees are expected to work long hours in many cases. These expectations can lead to intense stress, mental health issues and suicidal ideation and attempts. The most infamous recent case being the suicide of a young Dentsu employee in 2015 due to the company’s long working hours.

However, there is some good news. The overall suicide rate is actually decreasing. Japan saw 20,169 suicides in 2019, which while depressingly high is still a massive improvement over a decade and a half ago. The country had 34,427 suicides in 2003. The one demographic where the suicide rate has unfortunately not changed much is people aged 15 to 39.

In recent years, there has been more of a push for suicide prevention policies, and the government is aiming to reduce the overall suicide rate by 30% by 2026.

Counseling services is one way that the Japanese government is fighting suicide. Besides societal pressures, stigma against mental health issues and a culture that encourages people to endure their problems also contribute to the suicide rate.

Bullying and harassment, financial problems and isolation can also make people feel depressed or suicidal. Regardless of the reason, simply having someone to discuss problems with can make a huge difference for suicidal people. Counseling allows them to discuss issues that they may not feel comfortable talking about with friends, family or colleagues.

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare started online consultations, where 22,725 people took advantage of this service in 2018. There have also been notable regional efforts. Akita Prefecture, which once had the highest suicide rate in Japan, now has extensive services for people struggling with suicidal thoughts. These services include networks to help people dealing with financial difficulties, as well as depression screenings.

Feeling alone compounds the problems we face in life. Even manageable problems can spiral out of control without a proper support network, let alone the enormous pressures of Japanese schools and workplaces.

Keeping your problems to yourself and not having anywhere to turn can be overwhelming, and this drives at least some people to take their own lives.

The societal issues of any country are too complex to be solved overnight, but being able to openly discuss what you’re going through is a necessary first step. You can’t solve problems that the people around you refuse to let you even acknowledge.

Counseling services can have a positive impact, but even more important is reducing the stigma behind mental health issues. Education programs can help understand people what they’re dealing with, but they still need to have somewhere to turn without fear of judgment or criticism. The only way to continue to reduce Japan’s suicide rate is by creating a social environment where people look out for and listen to each other.