国际紧急心理健康和人类复原力杂志

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A Study of the Relationship between Japans Suicide Rate and the Spring Wage Increase over a Period of 34 Years: Devising Future Suicide Prevention Measures for Various Countries and Examining Numerous Issues Related to Suicide

Ken Inoue, Yasuyuki Fujita, Yoshihiro Noso, Haruo Takeshita, Nobuo Takeichi, Masaharu Hoshi, Tolebay K. Rakhypbekov, Nailya Chayzhunusova, Nargul Ospanova, Timur Moldagaliev, Zhanat Sarsembina, Akerke Kalieva, Ulzhan Jamedinova, Chegedekova Sholpan, Sharapiyeva Alua, Bitebayeva Dina, Rei Wake, Tsuyoshi Miyaoka, Yoshikazu Takinami, Yuji Okazaki and Jun H

Japan had around 20,000 suicides in the early 1990s, but the annual number of suicides increased abruptly to over 30,000 in 1998. Devising and implementing suicide prevention measures to reduce the number of suicides has become a societal issue that Japan should promptly address. Over the past few years, suicides in Japan have decreased, but the suicide rate in Japan remains high in comparison to the rest of the world. We believe that clearly identifying factors and issues related to suicide and implementing specific preventive measures to address those factors are crucial to preventing suicide. The current study examines the relationship between suicide and financial issues over a prolonged period. Specifically, it examines the annual suicide rate (per 100,000 populations) during 1980–2013 and the spring wage increase (%) at major companies in Japan during the same period. This study examines suicide rate and spring wage increase statistics in detail.

We found the spring wage increase may be related to the overall (both-gender) suicide rate. Closer examination suggested that the spring wage increase is related to the suicide rate among males but not among females.

Financial hardships and financial difficulties can lead to mental exhaustion and stress. A key measure to preventing suicide due to financial reasons is providing mental health support to individuals facing financial problems. Suicide prevention measures should be coordinated by relevant bodies and the community. Such efforts in Japan and elsewhere around the world should be based on statistical analysis of the factors involved in suicide.