Japan suicides decline as Covid-19 lockdown causes shift in stress factors

April’s 20% drop compared with a year earlier may be the result of delays to start of school year, less commuting and more time with family

The suicide rate in Japan fell by 20% in April compared with the same time last year, the biggest drop in five years, despite fears the coronavirus pandemic would cause increased stress and many prevention helplines were either not operating or short-staffed.

People spending more time at home with their families, fewer people were commuting to work and delays to the start of the school year are seen as factors in the fall.

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