Suicides in Japan mark 1st rise in 11 yrs amid pandemic
The number of suicides in Japan rose 3.7 percent in 2020 from the previous year to 20,919, up for the first time in 11 years, with the number of cases involving women and young people showing a marked increase amid the coronavirus pandemic, police data showed Friday.
While suicides of men dropped 1.0 percent to 13,943 for the 11th straight year of decline, those of women increased 14.5 percent to 6,976, the highest number in five years, the National Police Agency said in a preliminary report.
Counselors of Tokyo Mental Health Square give consultations to clients via private social media chats in Tokyo on Nov. 28, 2020. (Kyodo)