Suicide and its prevention in Japan.

Japan is one of the countries with high suicide rate. In this article, number and rate of suicide, comparison between countries, causes of death, occupations of the people who commit suicide and geographical distribution of suicide victims in Japan were explained. Influential reports by the media and by the appeal of the internet were added. Then history and trends of suicide prevention after World War II, especially after the sudden increase of number of suicide in 1998 were described. Establishment and its meaning of Basic Act on Suicide Countermeasures and Comprehensive Suicide Prevention Initiative along with Suicide Prevention Center were commented. Tasks and Measures for suicide prevention now and in the coming years were discussed.