Number of suicides Japan 2015-2024
In 2024, over 20,300 people in Japan died of suicide. The overall number of suicides decreased after the unexpected upward trend, likely connected to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Why Japanese men are more likely to die by suicide
When looking at suicide numbers by gender, Japanese men are more likely to commit suicide compared to women. Attitudes on traditional gender roles in Japan may have shifted in recent decades, but social change has since been slow. Men are still expected to focus on their careers and provide for the family. Hence, economic slumps are typically reflected in rising suicide figures among men, as failure to fulfill social expectations can lead to mental health issues, which in turn might trigger suicidal thoughts. As an example, the suicide figures increased only for men in 2009 as a result of the global banking crisis. Suicide resulting from work-related issues is also more common among men than among women.
Stress and pressure at work pose health risks
It has been determined over the past few decades that one of the primary issues facing Japanese workers that leads to self-harm is exhaustion. Occupational sudden mortality, known as "karoshi (death by overwork)" is a well-known phenomenon in Japanese society. Besides physical pressure, mental stress from the employment may cause karoshi. Suicide due to occupational stress or overwork is called "karojisatsu (overwork suicide)" in Japan.
