Citation

Inoue K, Fujita Y, Nishimura M, Fukunaga T, Tatebayashi H, Moriwaki S, Uchida T, Funo Y, Murakami Y, Matsuchika M, Okazaki Y, Fujita Y. Int. Med. J. 2015; 22(4): 288-290.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Japan International Cultural Exchange Foundation)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The annual number of suicides in Japan rapidly increased to over 30,000 in 1998. Detailed and precise identification of the factors for the abrupt increase in suicides in 1998 may help create effective suicide prevention measures. We focused on the number of suicides in years before and after an abrupt increase in suicides and the proportion of individuals who were unemployed for a prolonged period.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined the number of suicides and suicide rates in Japan during 1994-1996 and 1999-2001, and we also examined the number of unemployed in Japan from the February of each year during 1994-1996 and 1999-2001. We compared the suicide rates during 1994-1996 and 1999-2001, and we compared the proportion of individuals who were unemployed for less than 6 months to the proportion of individuals who were unemployed for 6 months or longer.

RESULTS and Conclusion: The years 1999-2001 had both a higher mortality rate due to suicide and a higher proportion of individuals who were unemployed for 6 months or longer compared to 1994-1996. Measures to deal with various suicide-related issues are needed in Japan, and the current findings may contribute to the creation of these measures. © 2015 Japan Health Sciences University.

Language: en

Keywords

human; suicide; Suicide; Japan; female; male; mortality; unemployment; major clinical study; sex ratio; Article; unemployed; year