Suicide Prevention in Japan: a public health priority

The Japanese government has prioritized nationwide efforts to promote a comprehensive suicide prevention strategy to realize a society in which no one takes their own life. From 2006 to 2022, the suicide rate has fallen by more than 35%, reflecting, in part, the impact of the national suicide prevention strategy initiated in 2006.

Breaking the silence

In the late 1990s, suicide was a taboo topic in Japan, rarely discussed publicly. Families affected by suicide had virtually no access to counselling or support services. In the 2000s, there was increased social attention to the issue of suicide, and children who lost their parents began to break the taboo by speaking out in the media about their experience. In 2006, more than 100 000 signatures were collected through a petition drive to legislate on suicide prevention, spearheaded by NGOs involved in suicide prevention activities and providing support for bereaved families. The Basic Act on Suicide Countermeasures, enacted the same year, suicide, marked a shift in perception, as suicide came to be recognized as a social issue, not just an individual problem.

Connecting suicide prevention efforts across three levels: national, community and individual

Based on the Basic Act, the General Principles of Suicide Countermeasures, sets out an interconnected three-level approach to suicide prevention:

1. Social systems. The integration of relevant laws and policies such as the Basic Act on Suicide Countermeasures, the Act on Mental Health and Welfare, and the Act on the Advancement of Measures to Address Loneliness and Isolation, provide a robust framework for suicide prevention

2. Local cooperation. Practical collaboration between relevant agencies at local and community level provide comprehensive support to people with multiple problems

3. Personal support. Hotlines and consultation services provide support to individuals experiencing problems

Scaling up local suicide prevention activities through regional funding

Since 2009, the Supplementary Budget has been allocated for local suicide prevention strategies. These funds enable local governments to deliver suicide prevention activities, such as awareness-raising campaigns. An amendment to the Basic Act in 2016 required all prefectures and municipalities to formulate local suicide prevention plans based on regional data collected by the National Police Agency. As a result, over 95% of the municipalities have developed and are implementing these plans.

Using multidisciplinary research to support effective suicide prevention activities

In February 2020, the Japan Suicide Countermeasures Promotion Center (JSCP) became a designated research organization . JSCP now plays a central role in conducting research and studies and utilizing the results for the implementation of comprehensive and effective suicide countermeasures, linked to policies in a wide range of fields including health, welfare, education, and labour. It also provides support for practical suicide countermeasures at the regional level. JSCP offers a range of training programmes for lay people as well as suicide prevention professionals, including medical professionals, media professionals, those supporting bereaved people, and local government staff.

"JSCP aims to create a "comfortable society to live in" where every citizen is satisfied with being who they are, a place where no one is driven to take their own life'', said Mr Yasuyuki Shimizu, Executive Director, JSCP.

Strengthening efforts to support high-risk populations

The General Principles of the Basic Act, revised every 5 years, were updated in 2022 to reflect trends in suicide data. The government has set a target to reduce the suicide rate by at least 30% by 2026, compared to 2015. In response to the challenges identified during the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a focus on strengthening measures for women, children and young people, as well as increased support for other high-risk populations. The Children and Families Agency, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the National Police Agency, and other relevant ministries and organizations, launched the "Suicide Countermeasure Emergency Strengthening Plan for Children" in 2023. This plan aims to investigate factors contributing to child suicide, identify suicide risk factors early, and organize crisis response teams.

Promoting capacity building and knowledge-sharing on suicide prevention

JSCP offers a variety of training programs to build capacity and increase knowledge-sharing on suicide prevention, including:

• Training sessions on care of suicide attempt survivors in primary and emergency care settings
• Study meetings on suicide coverage for media professionals
• Training and information exchange for support groups for those bereaved by suicide
• Online training to promote suicide prevention at universities
• Gatekeeper training for school teachers
• Online meetings for local government officers

More information on JSCP's training programs and activities can be found here: https://jscp.or.jp/english/about

The Training Session on Care of Suicide Attempt Survivors for Emergency settings, 2023 in Tokyo. @ JSCP

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