Japan suicides reach record high

[japslapper]

The number of suicides in Japan has risen to its highest level since records began.
More than 34,000 Japanese took their own lives in 2003, according to the National Police Agency - an increase of more than 7% from the previous year.

Three-quarters of those who committed suicide were male, and a third were aged over 60.

Experts believe that health problems were the main reason, followed by economic pressures.


Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said there were no quick remedies for dealing with suicide, but his government would continue its efforts to improve the economic situation.

Twenty-seven out of every 100,000 people in Japan commit suicide, according to the latest figures - one of the highest rates in the world.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3919775.stm

[Steve Bildermann]

....and of course many thousands of suicides are not reported as such by the families or are never discovered or are arranged with doctors or are misreported as accidents. misadventure. This list is long.

On the subject of 'shuffling off' it's pretty much an open secret that in Japan, China and Korea, contrary to the image of a respect for the aged thousands of elderly get 'unwillingly' bumped off at hospitals when doctors and relatives collude to arrange a 'peaceful' passing.

[Cubed]

Or take granny for a long walk in the picturesque woods under Mt Fuji.

In February.

[Taro Toporific]

....Twenty-seven out of every 100,000 people in Japan commit suicide, according to the latest figures - one of the highest rates in the world. ....
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3919775.stm

Japan's suicide rate climbs to 10th highest in world
(Mainichi Shimbun, Japan, Sept. 9, 2004)
...the World Health Organization (WHO) has shown. Excluding the former Soviet Union and the Eastern bloc, Japan's rate of suicides per 100,000 people is the highest among advanced nations.
...Lithuania as having the highest number of suicides -- 44.7 per 100,000, based on 2002 figures, followed by the Russian Federation with a rate of 38.7 in 2002.
Japan had a suicide rate of 24.1 per 100,000 people (35.2 men and 13.4 women), raking 10th highest in the world. Figures for other countries included 10.4 in the United States for the year 2000 and 7.5 for the United Kingdom in 1999.
Commenting on Japan's suicide rate, the WHO's Mental Health division cited harsh economic conditions as a probable factor.
"Sufficient analysis has not been carried out, but work stress resulting from the recession seems to be a major reason for the increase," a division official said. "Just as Japan has a culture of 'hara-kiri,' there are probably also cultural grounds in which suicide it tolerated."

[GomiGirl]

COmbine that with a decreased birth rate, prohibative immigration policies and aging population, there will be no-body left in a few years.

Will the last person to leave, please turn off the lights?