Suicides Top 30,000 – 9 Years Running

The number of people in Japan taking their own life was down in 2006, but still above 30,000 for the ninth year in a row.

Every 16 minutes or so somebody takes their own life in Japan.

The number of students and elderly commiting suicide grew by 2.9% and 2.1% respectively.

The main reason for students to pack it in – health problems, bullying and school problems. Of the 623 students under 19-years old, 14 were elementary school children, double that of 2005.

For the elderly – poor health and financial reasons 

Almost half  (48%) of those who called it quits were unemployed.

In response – the public and private sectors in Japan will hold a symposium on countermeasures on July 1st in Tokyo.

It will be the first full-scale suicide prevention event involving the two sectors working hand in hand.

Japanese people, like people everywhere, are too fine to be giving up on life.

Why do you think the Japanese are so prone to suicide?