Asia-Pacific

Japan suicides rise to 33,000 in 2009

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-05-13 14:13

TOKYO- The number of suicides in Japan rose to nearly 33,000 in 2009, a police survey showed Thursday, citing depression and economic hardships for the upturn.

The National Police Agency said the number of Japanese suicides was 32,845 last year, up 1.8 percent compared to the year before and topping 30,000 for the 12th consecutive year. The 2009 figure was also the fifth-highest since 1978, when statistics were first compiled. The record high was 34,427 suicides in 2003.

Japan has long battled a high suicide rate. The country's suicide rate of 24.4 per 100,000 people ranked the second-highest among the Group of Eight leading industrialized nations after Russia's 30.1, according to the World Health Organization.

Men accounted for nearly 72 percent of Japan's suicides last year, with depression and economic struggles, including losing jobs, being cited among the top reasons for suicides, the survey showed.

Japan's economy, the world's second-largest, fell into its worst recession since World War II in early 2009 amid a global economic downturn. The nation's jobless rate hit a record high of 5.7 percent in July 2009.

The suicide rate was the highest among those in their 50s and 60s, the survey said.

While the number of Japan's suicides climbed in 2009, the government said there were encouraging signs seen from late last year. The Cabinet Office said the number of monthly suicides declined year-on-year between September 2009 and April 2010.

Japan will allocate a budget worth 12.4 billion yen ($133 million) in the current fiscal year to March 2011 in a bid to curb suicide rates. The government will fund public counseling for people saddled with massive debts and treatment for depression.