TOKYO, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) — Suicides amongst school-age kids in Japan reached an all-time excessive of 527 in 2024, surpassing the earlier report of 514 in 2022, in keeping with preliminary figures launched by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.
High faculty college students accounted for practically 70 % of circumstances, with 349 deaths, adopted by 163 center faculty college students and 15 elementary faculty college students.
A notable improve was noticed amongst feminine center and highschool college students, with 99 center faculty ladies taking their lives, 19 greater than the earlier yr, and 183 highschool ladies, a rise of 17.
The main causes cited for suicides amongst people beneath 19 included educational struggles and issues about future paths (349 circumstances), psychological well being points similar to despair (284 circumstances), and family-related issues similar to conflicts with dad and mom (148 circumstances).
The ministry acknowledged the record-high pupil suicide figures as a grave concern and pledged to investigate the causes whereas working with related organizations to implement countermeasures.
In 2024, the variety of suicides in Japan totaled 20,268, marking a lower of 1,569 from the earlier yr and reaching the second-lowest degree since information started in 1978.
Among the full suicides, 13,763 had been males and 6,505 had been girls, the information confirmed.