Japan experienced a record number of adolescent suicides in 2024, according to data released by the Ministry of Health on Wednesday.
The latest figures reveal that there were 527 suicides among middle and high school students (aged 11 and older) last year, an increase from 513 in 2023.
In contrast, the overall number of suicide deaths across all age groups decreased by 7.2%, totaling 20,268 individuals—a significant decline from the peak of 34,427 cases in 2003. The number of deaths among individuals under 20, which includes students, also saw a slight reduction, with 800 recorded in 2024 compared to 810 in 2023.
“We take this issue very seriously,” stated Keiichiro Tachibana, Deputy Secretary-General of the Cabinet Office, during a press conference. “We will continue to do everything possible to implement measures aimed at protecting children’s lives and fostering a society where no one feels compelled to take their own life,” he added.
