In Japan, a record number of suicides has been reported among children and adolescents.
Lent.az reports that, according to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of the country, in 2025, the number of suicides among schoolchildren has reached a record high — 532. This is the highest figure recorded in the official statistics period since 1980. The particularly concerning point is that more girls in this age group are committing suicide. This differs from the overall demographic trend across the country.
Paradoxically, against the background of this tragic child statistic, the total number of suicides in Japan continues to decrease. In 2025, in a country with a population of approximately 124 million, fewer than 20,000 people took their own lives, which is considered a positive trend compared to previous years.
For example, in 2024, the total number of suicides was 20,268, with the vast majority, 13,763 cases, being men. However, the situation among minors is the opposite and continues to worsen.
According to last year's data, 349 child suicides were recorded among high school students. The new record set in 2025 indicates the existence of systemic problems such as pressure in the educational environment, cyberbullying, social isolation, and difficulties in receiving timely psychological help.
This report has turned into a serious challenge for Japanese society and authorities and demands urgent measures to strengthen the support for the mental health of the younger generation, creating a safer and more open environment for children both in schools and beyond their boundaries.
