Suicide among national university graduate students in Japan from 2002 to 2021

Aim Graduate students are exposed to various types of stress. Thus, they are prone to mental health problems, and the most devastating result is suicide. The aim of this paper is to reveal the status of suicide among graduate students in Japan for 20 years. Methods We analyzed cumulative data on suicide among national university […]

The effect of staying at home on suicide during the COVID-19 pandemic

Studies have reported a strong association between policy stringency and mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily among females, but the causal effect of people’s stay-at-home behavior on mental health is not yet known. This study evaluated how pandemic-related confinement at home affected the incidence of suicide among Japanese females. We employ a shift-share […]

Association study of a single nucleotide polymorphism in the hypoxia response element of the macrophage migration inhibitory factor gene promoter with suicide completers in the Japanese population

Background: More than 800 000 people die by suicide annually. The heritability of suicide is 30%-50%. We focused on the hypoxia response element (HRE), which promotes the expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) via the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) pathway, important in neurogenesis and neuroprotection. We examined a genetic polymorphism of rs17004038, a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), […]

A survey of suicide literacy in Japanese school teachers

School teachers are in a unique position to recognize suicide-related problems in their students and to appropriately support them; teachers may need high levels of suicide literacy. However, few studies have examined current levels of suicide literacy in teachers. This study aimed to investigate suicide literacy in school teachers. Teachers (n = 857) from 48 […]

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mortality trends in Japan: A reversal in 2021? A descriptive analysis of national mortality data, 1995–2021

Objective The COVID-19 pandemic led to an increase in mortality in most countries in 2020, deviating from prior decreasing trends. In Japan, however, mortality was suggested to decrease in 2020. This study investigated long-term mortality trends and cause-specific contributions, focusing on the period of the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. Design We analysed Japanese age-standardised mortality […]

Projections of temperature-related suicide under climate change scenarios in Japan

Background: The impact of climate change on mental health largely remains to be evaluated. Although growing evidence has reported a short-term association between suicide and temperature, future projections of temperature-attributable suicide have not been thoroughly examined. Objectives: We aimed to project the excess temperature-related suicide mortality in Japan under three climate change scenarios until the 2090s. Methods: Daily […]

Analysis of all non-fatal self-harm cases in an urban area of Japan during pre- and peri-pandemic periods of COVID-19: A population-based study

Background: This study aimed to examine population-based characteristics of non-fatal self-harm in an urban area during pre- and peri-pandemic periods of COVID-19 by sex, age, and severity of self-harm, using pre-hospital medical emergency records. Methods: We used a registry of all pre-hospital medical records of self-harm cases that occurred in Kawasaki City, Japan, between January 2018 and […]

Suicidal mortality and motives among middle-school, high-school, and university students

Importance: The suicide mortality rate per 100 000 population (SMRP) consistently decreased before the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in Japan and then unexpectedly increased during the pandemic. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Objective: To identify trends in and factors associated with suicidal mortality and motives among students in Japan from 2007 to 2022. Design, Setting, […]

Reflection of suicidal ideation in terms searched for by Japanese internet users

Background: The relationship between search terms and suicidal ideation is not precisely known. Aims: This study examined the relationship between the types of terms used in web searches and the level of suicidal ideation among individuals who conduct such searches. Methods: A total of 508 Internet users completed a suicidal ideation scale and conveyed to us the words […]

Collaboration and cooperation systems to prevent suicide among children in Japan: Effective use of the Observe-Orient-Decide-Act loop

Suicide among school-age children is a serious issue in Japan, exacerbated by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Collaboration and cooperation between schools—where children spend much of their time—and medical/welfare services are indispensable. However, teachers are overworked, and intensified stress levels have led to high absenteeism. We propose the effective use of the Observe–Orient–Decide–Act (OODA) loop […]

Public surveillance of social media for suicide using advanced deep learning models in Japan: Time series study from 2012 to 2022

Background: Social media platforms have been increasingly used to express suicidal thoughts, feelings, and acts, raising public concerns over time. A large body of literature has explored the suicide risks identified by people’s expressions on social media. However, there is not enough evidence to conclude that social media provides public surveillance for suicide without aligning suicide […]

Public surveillance of social media for suicide using advanced deep learning models in Japan: Time series study from 2012 to 2022

Background: Social media platforms have been increasingly used to express suicidal thoughts, feelings, and acts, raising public concerns over time. A large body of literature has explored the suicide risks identified by people’s expressions on social media. However, there is not enough evidence to conclude that social media provides public surveillance for suicide without aligning […]

Characteristics of disaster-related suicide in Fukushima prefecture after the nuclear accident

Background: Suicide is a major concern after the 2011 earthquake and nuclear accident in Fukushima. Aims: This study delineates characteristics of the disaster-related suicides in Fukushima. Method: Data provided by the Fukushima Prefectural Police and data published by the Fukushima or Japanese Government were analyzed. Numbers of disaster-related suicides and evacuees were compared among the three prefectures affected. Age, sex, […]

Association of revision of Money Lending Business Act and suicide rate in Japan: An interrupted time series analysis

Objective Debt problems are associated with suicide. In Japan, the Money Lending Business (MLB) Act was revised in December 2006 and fully enforced in June 2010 to reduce multiple debt problems. This study aimed to examine the association between the full enforcement of the revised act and suicide rates. Methods An interrupted time series analysis […]

Public surveillance of social media for suicide using advanced deep learning models in Japan: Time series study from 2012 to 2022

Background: Social media platforms have been increasingly used to express suicidal thoughts, feelings, and acts, raising public concerns over time. A large body of literature has explored the suicide risks identified by people’s expressions on social media. However, there is not enough evidence to conclude that social media provides public surveillance for suicide without aligning […]

Trends and characteristics of suicide-related behaviors before and after the COVID-19 epidemic in Tottori, Japan: A retrospective study

Background In Japan, the number of suicides has increased since the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic. However, only a few studies have examined the trends among individuals who attempted suicide. In this study, we examined the background characteristics and motives of individuals who attempted suicide and visited the emergency room because of suicide-related behavior before and after […]

Comparative epidemiology of suicide in South Korea and Japan: Effects of age, gender and suicide methods

Background: Suicide is one of the leading causes of mortality in both South Korea and Japan. Aims: The study aims to compare the descriptive epidemiology of suicide over the last two decades (1985-2006) and to explore the conditions associated with the different distribution of suicides in both countries. Methods: Age-standardized suicide rates were obtained from the OECD Health […]

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicide rate trends in the tsunami-disaster-affected area following the great East Japan earthquake: A descriptive study

Background: People who experienced the Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE) were expected to have additional levels of psychological burden resulting from the stressful conditions imposed during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic; consequently, suicide rates may increase. Aim: We aimed to carry out continuous monitoring of suicide rates in the affected area following the GEJE under COVID-19 pandemic […]

Does video game play elevate suicide risk? A cross-sectional study of Japanese young adults

The present study explored the relationship between video/online game playing and suicide risk among Japanese young adults using the interpersonal–psychological theory of suicide. A sample of 310 players aged 20–39 years was recruited through an Internet research company. Each participant completed a questionnaire containing items that measured time spent on games, game addiction (GA), game categories, […]

Have restrictions on human mobility impacted suicide rates during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan?

During the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan, various measures have been implemented to prevent the spread of infection, including restrictions on human mobility. A dynamic fluctuation in the number of suicides has been observed during this period. The question is whether the increase/decrease in suicides during the pandemic is related to changes in human mobility. To […]

Study of suicide trends and some kind of factor in several Japan’s prefectures: For the future study in the Republic of Kazakhstan

Background: Many countries with high suicide rates may also experience heavy yearly snowfalls. We speculated that Japan’s prefectures that have high suicide rates may be in regions with heavy snowfall. Although many suicide-related factors have been studied, few investigations have examined the effects of snow on suicide. Objective: We investigated regions of Japan along the […]

Working hours, side work, and depressive symptoms in physicians: A nationwide cross-sectional study in Japan

Objectives Long working hours in Japan is a social concern. This is also true for the working hours of physicians, who often do side work in addition to working at their main hospital. New physician work regulations to be implemented in Japan require work-hour management, including side work. This study examined the association between physicians’ […]

Risk factors associated with peripartum suicide attempts in Japan

Importance  Peripartum suicide attempt is a major psychiatric complication associated with pregnancy, but the risk factors remain largely uncertain. Objective  To identify the demographic characteristics and predisposing risks for peripartum suicide attempts and postpartum depression. Design, Setting, and Participants  This cohort study used retrospective data on pregnant women who delivered children between April 1, 2016, and March 31, […]