TOKYO, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Suicides committed by children in Japan hit a record high in 2025 for the second consecutive year, rising by three from a year earlier to 532, data from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare showed Thursday.
In 2025, 352 senior high school students committed suicide, followed by 170 junior high school students and 10 elementary school pupils, according to the ministry.
According to the report, school-related issues were the most common factor for suicides among those aged 19 and younger, followed by health and family issues.
By gender, females accounted for 277 cases, down 13 from a year earlier, and males for 255 cases, up 16.
Suicides among children in Japan have remained above 500 cases annually since 2022, government data showed. ■