The Japanese Government approved an action plan today to try to reduce the record numbers of child suicide recorded in the country, including family reconciliation measures and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to identify risks.
“Child and youth suicide is a serious problem that must be taken very seriously,” declared the Japanese Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, quoted by the local agency Kyodo. The leader chaired the meeting of the Council for the Promotion of Policies for Children, which this year focused attention on preventing suicide among minors.
Among the approved measures are the creation of regional government councils, collaboration between schools and medical institutions, as well as the use of AI to identify suicide risks.
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The plan also includes incentives for companies that actively support childcare and promote support services for families. According to the Minister for Children, Hitoshi Kikawada, the measures should come into force “before the end of the year,” with cooperation between relevant ministries and bodies.
According to statistics from the National Police Agency and the Ministry of Health, last year there were 538 suicides among primary, secondary, and university students, the highest number since data collection began in 1980.
