The Children and Families Agency has asked local governments to set up?councils where local suicide prevention-related institutions can discuss ways of?supporting youths in the area who are at risk of dying by suicide.
The move is aimed at quickly identifying such cases by obtaining information from schools and medical institutions, and promoting early intervention.
According to health ministry data, the number of suicides among elementary, junior high and high school students has been on the?rise in Japan, marking a record high of 538 in 2025.
The revised law on suicide countermeasures that took effect in April allows municipalities to establish a council to strengthen efforts to prevent suicides. Schools, hospitals, police, child consultation centers and suicide prevention support organizations are seen as possible members.
Information on children and teenagers who are seen as being at high risk of dying by suicide ¡ª such as those taken to the hospital following attempted suicide,?those who experienced a drug overdose or who cut their wrists,?and those talking about suicide ¡ª will be shared at the council. Members will then create a support plan for each case.
The Children and Families Agency will dispatch officials to municipalities considering setting up such a council to offer assistance.
Prefectural and municipal governments can each set up a council, or several of them can jointly create one.
The agency plans to compile examples of effective suicide prevention measures for local governments to refer to.
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