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General discussion

Japan suicides reach record high

by Chorus-Line A1-QMS Jul 24, 2004 7:55AM PDT

The number of suicides in Japan has risen to its highest level since records began.

More than 34,000 Japanese took their own lives in 2003, according to the National Police Agency - an increase of more than 7% from the previous year.

One reason for the high suicide rate could be the fact that it is not as culturally taboo as it is in the West, and can even be viewed as an honourable way of taking responsibility for failure.

A recent Health Ministry report showed that suicide in Japan was the sixth most common cause of death - after cancer, heart disease and other illnesses.

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