Japan Press Weekly

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2008 June 18 - 24 [WELFARE]

Social uneasiness increases suicides

The National Police Agency has said that suicides in Japan surpassed 30,000 for the tenth consecutive year. The number of suicides in 2007 was 33,093, up 2.9 percent from 2006 and second only to 2003.

The suicide rate is particularly high among those in their 60s and over as well as people in their 30s.

Last year, the health insurance system was adversely revised to force elderly patients to pay more for medical treatments at clinics and hospitals. They are forced to pay more in taxes and for various welfare services. As a result, the adversely revised social welfare services have caused deeper concerns to the public. Clearly, this is linked to the increase in the number of suicides among the elderly.

Many young people in their 30s are working as day laborers who get jobs through temporary staffing agencies. They are made to work long hours for low wages as if they are disposable objects. It’s no wonder that many of them suffer from depression and even try to kill themselves due to being overworked and underpaid.
- Akahata, June 20, 2008