[Symposium 78] Suicide Prevention Laws in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan: Achievements, Challenges, and Future Directions

[SY-78] Suicide Prevention Laws in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan: Achievements, Challenges, and Future Directions

SHU-SEN CHANG¹, Tae-Yeon Hwang², Kevin Chien-Chang Wu¹, Tadashi Takeshima³ (1.National Taiwan University(Taiwan), 2.Korea Foundation for Suicide Prevention(Korea), 3.Taisho University(Japan))

Keywords:

Suicide,Suicide prevention,Suicide prevention law

Suicide remains a critical global public health issue, accounting for over 700,000 deaths annually. In East Asia, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan have their national suicide rates above the global average level, with each recording a total number of 21037, 13978, and 3898 suicides in 2023, respectively. Recognizing suicide as a public health priority, these three nations have enacted comprehensive suicide prevention laws alongside other national strategies. Japan’s Basic Act on Suicide Prevention, first introduced in 2006 and revised in 2016, represents a key national initiative in addressing the issue. South Korea followed with its Act on the Prevention of Suicide and the Creation of a Culture of Respect for Life in 2011, revising it multiple times in response to evolving challenges. Taiwan implemented its Suicide Prevention Act in 2019, marking a significant step forward in its national suicide prevention strategies. In this symposium, speakers from Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan will present the legislative history, implementation process, and subsequent revisions of these laws. They will discuss how these legal frameworks have shaped national suicide prevention strategies, resource allocation, and program development. Through an analysis of suicide trends before and after the introduction of these laws, the presenters will highlight key achievements, identify lessons learned, and explore ongoing challenges. The session will conclude with a panel discussion on future directions for strengthening suicide prevention laws and policies, focusing on the need for regional collaboration, a whole-of-government approach, and evidence-based interventions to further reduce national suicide rates.