Over 25% of Japanese in twenties mull suicide

Wow, this is a startling statistic! I never would have imagined that the suicide rate would be so high in Japan. Of all industrialized countries on the planet, and as probably the most advanced in Asia, I would have thought that the Japanese, with their traditional values and largely homogenous society, would have a more mentally stable general population. I guess not… TGO

Refer to story below. Source: Associated Press

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More than a quarter of Japanese in their twenties have thought about taking their own life, according to a survey released Wednesday, in a nation with one of the world’s highest suicide rates.

The survey found that 28.4 of respondents in their twenties had contemplated suicide, the highest of any age group, while 36.2 percent of that group had considered taking their own life in the past year, according to the report.

“The data show that the younger people hesitate to talk to others, or cannot find anyone to talk to when they have a problem because of shallow relationships with others,” said the survey conducted by Japan’s Cabinet Office.

“They tend to suffer alone,” it added.

Overall, 23.4 percent of the more than 2,000 adult respondents said they had thought of committing suicide, up 4.3 percentage points from the previous and first such survey conducted in 2008.

The ratio stood at 27.1 percent for women and 19.1 percent for men.

Japan, with a population of about 128 million, has one of the world’s highest suicide rates, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

More than 30,000 people take their lives annually in Japan amid rising unemployment, with family troubles and health problems also cited as key factors behind many of those suicides.

About The Great One

Am interested in science and philosophy as well as sports; cycling and tennis. Enjoy reading, writing, playing chess, collecting Spyderco knives and fountain pens.
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One Response to Over 25% of Japanese in twenties mull suicide

  1. GhostRider says:

    Apparently, it isn’t a Japanese thing. Like I have said before, it is the strong-minded that seek help and wherever they seek it it’s good. GhostRider Wisdom, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it. http://www.boston.com/sports/blogs/thebuzz/2012/05/report_junior_s.html

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