Presentation Information
[SY-78-01]Historical development of Japan's suicide prevention: its attainments and challenges
*Tadashi Takeshima1, Kazuhisa Najima2 (1.Taisho University(Japan), 2.Ryukoku University(Japan))
Keywords:
suicide prevention,Japan,legal system
Japan has experienced three rapid increases in suicide deaths since the Asian-Pacific War: the first around 1955, the second around 1985, and the third beginning in 1998 and continuing until around 2011. In 2006, a sense of crisis over the increase in suicides led to the enactment of the Basic Act on Suicide Prevention by the Diet member's bill. Policies based on this Act, revisions to the Money Lending Business Act, and financial measures to encourage suicide prevention measures by local governments helped the number of suicides return to pre-surge level around 2016. The Basic Act was revised in 2016, transferring from the Cabinet Office to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, and requiring prefectures and municipalities to establish suicide prevention plans. Furthermore, in 2019, a new act was enacted by a legislative act of the Diet. The purpose of this act is to designate only one general incorporated association as a designated corporation to promote research and study on suicide prevention and the utilization of the results. The enactment of this act has been criticized as an abandonment by the government of the fundamental principles of suicide prevention. Although suicide deaths in Japan have returned to pre-surge level, the country now faces a new challenge: the increase in suicides among students. Japan's suicide prevention policy should be improved. This can be accomplished by addressing several issues. These are “stagnation in analysis of the actual situation and policy research” and “stagnation in efforts that require a long-term perspective. In addition, a scientific and bottom-up suicide prevention network needs to be developed. Furthermore, survivors' participation in policy making is indispensable. It is necessary to consolidate the two existing suicide prevention acts into one act and make the necessary amendments.