Underlying Factors for the Rapid Increase of Suicide in Mie Prefecture, Japan

Abstract

The number of suicides in Japan increased from about 22,000 per year during the period 1988 to 1997 to over 30,000 since 1998. The number of suicides has also been increasing in Mie Prefecture. In the present study we examined the incidence and the circumstances for all suicidal cases during the seven-year period, 1996-2002, that were reported to Mie Prefectural Police Headquarters. In Mie Prefecture, the number of suicides per year averaged 421 cases: from a minimum of 319 in 1997 to a maximum of 501 in 1998. The most frequent month for suicides was July, while the lowest number occurred in February. Suicide was most common in the 50-59 year age group in men, and in the 70-79 year group in women. Regarding the means of suicide, hanging was the most frequent (61.6%) in both sexes. Psychiatric disorders were the most serious causative factors in all generations, accounting for 23.8% in general but being especially prevalent in the younger generation of people under 39 years. Further reasons for suicide were economic problems for the 40-64 age-group in men and suffering from illness for the elderly age-groups in both sexes. In order to prevent suicide, urgent strategies for effective medical treatments and improved working circumstances are required.

A Correlation between Increases in Suicide Rates and Increases in Male Unemployment Rates in Mie Prefecture, Japan

“…Among females, the increase in suicide rates correlated less significantly with the unemployment rate, showing the different influence between the two genders. The number of suicides in Mie prefecture increased markedly in the 7-yr period from 1996 through 2002 (2948 cases), to approximately 1.5 times that of the previous 7 yr (2100 cases), and the male/female ratio increased (2:1) in comparison with that (1.7:1) of the previous 7-yr period 2) . Bases on our review of previous reports regarding suicide rates in specific months, the opinions of researchers have varied.…”

“…It has also increased in Mie Prefecture during that period 2) . Mie prefecture is located in the center of Japan (Fig.…”

“…1). Its population is approximately 1,800,000, at a density of approximately 320 per km 2 . In Japan, Yoshioka 3) has reported a large-scale study of suicide covering the 7 yr from 1989-1995.…”

“…"Economic difficulties including suffering SUICIDE AND UNEMPLOYMENT IN MIE PREFECTURE from unemployment", which is an important factor in suicide in general, seemed to be particularly relevant for the increase in suicide rates in males and in the total population. We can speculate that the idea concerning work is traditionally different among men and women 2,3) . The general increase of suicide rates was found to be correlated with the unemployment rate (Table 1b).…”

The importance of the frequency of suicide attempts as a risk factor of suicide

“…1 The number has also increased in Mie Prefecture during this period. 2,3 In Japan, the only large-scale study of suicide, which covered the 7 years from 1989 to 1995, has been reported by Yoshioka. 4 According to the report, Mie Prefecture showed an intermediate suicide rate, which reflects that of all of Japan.…”