Why is it that Japan has a very high suicide rate?

I'm a Japanese man. I don't agree with the idea that Japanese people have high self esteem. Typical Japanese are raised under intense pressure from their parents to go to a good university and have a good job. So once it becomes certain that they cannot achieve that goal, they feel a sense of huge failure and tend to take their life. Besides, even if you get a good job in Japan, it would be difficult to find the same level of job after you quit in your 40s or 50s. That's why male workers in their 40s or 50s commit suiside. The way we are raised is completely differenrt from Western way. For example, in West parents say such words as "You are good. You are smart. You are nice." to kids. On the other hand, Japanese parents say something like "You are bad. You are not smart. You are damn.". The same thing can be said even after we get a job. Bosses say "You are not a good man." or something like that every day. I think those factors are one of the reasons why Japanese people do not have a high self esteem and commit suiside often. There is a report that suiside rate in Japan is the second highest in OECD nations after Hungary. Japanese people like to denounce others as "losers". A few years ago, a book was published in which single women over 30 were described as "losers". So our society likes to find "losers" among its member and take their self esteem. This is extremely unhealthy society.

I really don't care what you say about me,but to call someone a coward that commit suicide is really Heartless.What if it was someone in your family,would you say to the rest of the family,he was just a coward.No you would not,these people that do this sort of thing needs help.To say someone is weak,a failure and a coward is very Low.and a very stupid thing to say.Watch it,your words will come back on you?

I think you should also take a look at the country's murder rate; it is very low. In a stressful society, many people are constantly under pressure, frustrated and/or depressed. Some resort to violence as a way of release, and in Japan - with very strict gun control and the tradition of 'shame' rather than 'anger', that violence tends to be directed to oneself, rather than to others. Suicide is not a considered a sin or 'an indication of someone who is weak, a failure and a coward' in Japan. It is sad and we must try to prevent it, that's for sure. But if someone is in a desperately hopeless situation, it seems a much better solution than take it on others and taking innocent lives.

They hate to admit and live with shame. They were especially like that when samurais existed. They considered anyone that was able to live with shame and humiliation to be very disgusting. They care a lot about their appearance in public. Just one flaw or mistake and they'll despise you. A lot of people in that country is a perfectionist or something like that. Well, that's what I think(I don't know about how others views them though).

I think it's because of all the competition and pressure that they have to deal with since it is such a small country with a lot of people competing for jobs, etc. The hours of school the younger people have to go for is a lot longer than any country and it's overwhelming with all the work, pressure, and the strictness. They might not be allowed to talk about how they feel, like you don't see many men talking about their feelings, so the Japanese might not be able to and have to bottle up all; what they feel to the point where they can't take it anymore.

Alot of good opinions here. I tend to feel that they overwork themselves.. and the pressures, stresses of everyday life along with the cultural samurai upbringing, lead some of them to suicide. In any fast paced and demanding society, there are going to be people at the breaking point. Suicide is a cry for help. Until you've been to the low point in life where that thought enters your mind, you can only speculate as to what it actually is. I had a friend that committed suicide.. one of the nicest guys that I ever knew. I wish he was still here to laugh and joke with.

most suicides happen to students...and it's because of the big school bullies...they're not just an ordinary bully, you'll really wish to die than to go to school. japanese people are very sensitive, perfectionist, and always take things seriously and internally...

I think the problem stems from their rapid rate of growth, development, and financial success. Just like the economic bubble they created in the 70's and 80's due to their extremely fast financial ascendancy, it burst in the early 90's. Just 10 years later, their mental psyche begins to catch up with them, and like the bubble, they don't know how to handle the stress, so they pop. If you look at how the Japanese family works, you will see that people don't even have a family to fall back on when interpersonal problems arise. They feel that they have to handle everything on their own and they just can't. The only way out is to kill themselves. The family structure is in self-destruct mode. It has started the imploding process, and there is no quick fix, save one. They need to learn to really love each other. Fathers say that the fact that they work and supply their family with everything they need is evidence of their love. NO, that is evidence of the fact that they are responsible humans, not that they love their family. Providing for the family needs is not love, it is a duty. Until the men realize this, the problem will only snowball out of control. Love is coming home early and playing with your kids. Sitting down with them and reading with them. Helping them with homework. Playing games with them, even on a week night. Telling them that they love them. Never assuming that they know you love them. Japanese society has not learned how to support each other in times of trouble. So basically it is everyone for themselves, dog eat dog, survival of the fittest. This in itself is creating more mental problems for the future, because the people that don't commit suicide are learning to bury, or at least hide their emotions very well. But then we have the whole bursting bubble scenario happening again in the future, but it is going to be much worse because it will seem like a totally different cause with the same affect. Japanese need to learn to support, but mostly they need to learn to LOVE.

It is what you have said...they are weak..a failure in their minds..and a coward. People in Japan are often over worked. Japanese people are not very good at asking for help. They don't want to admit to failure and when they do I think they take the extreme step. I think it also has to do with the culture of seppuku, where the samurai slashes their own stomach to die. It is not really considered running away rather taking responsibility to their action.