Japan¡¯s suicide death toll fell below 20,000 for the first time on record last year, although elementary, junior high and high school student suicides climbed to a new high, according to government data released Thursday.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare said that 19,097 people died by suicide in 2025, based on preliminary National Police Agency statistics, the lowest total since records began in 1978. Final figures will be released in March.
The overall number fell by 1,223 from the previous year¡¯s confirmed total, marking a third consecutive annual decline. Men accounted for 13,117 deaths and women for 5,980.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.