Suicides in Japan Said to Hit Record High

July 25, 2003
By Associated Press

TOKYO -- Suicides in Japan linked to job losses and bankruptcies hit a record high last year, police said Friday.
A total of 32,143 people killed themselves in 2002, 1,101 -- or 3.5 percent -- more than the year before, the annual police report said.

Of those, 7,940 Japanese took their lives because of economic difficulties -- an increase of 16 percent. The previous high was in 2001, at 6,845. Job losses, corporate bankruptcies and mounting debts were among the causes.

Japan has one of the world's highest suicide rates, with the overall number topping 30,000 for the fifth straight year. Suicides peaked at 33,048 in 1999.

In 2000, 29,350 Americans committed suicide, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's most recent figures.

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