A government report released on Tuesday indicates that suicide rates among elementary, junior high, and high school students in Japan remained alarmingly high in 2023. According to the 2024 Suicide Prevention White Paper, a total of 513 students from these educational levels took their own lives, which is just one fewer than the record high of 514 reported in the previous year.
The breakdown of the data reveals that 347 high school students, 153 junior high students, and 13 elementary students died by suicide in 2023. The report identified common causes for these tragedies, noting that discipline and reprimands from families were significant factors in the suicides of elementary school students. In contrast, junior high and high school boys often cited academic struggles and career concerns as the primary reasons for their actions.
Overall, Japan recorded a total of 21,837 suicides in 2023, reflecting a decrease of 44 from the prior year. The national suicide rate remained stable at 17.6 deaths per 100,000 people.
Since 2020, suicide rates have seen an increase across most age groups in Japan, with the highest rates reported among the unemployed. However, the data also indicated a rise in suicides among working individuals, underscoring a broader societal issue that continues to affect various demographics.