Suicide by gender and 10-year age groups during the COVID-19 pandemic vs previous five years in Japan: An analysis of national vital statistics

Using daily vital statistics data from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, we provide the first weekly and age-group-specific estimates of the additional suicide burden during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan by gender, from January through November 2020. Our results indicate that compared with the previous five years, suicide cases in 2020 in Japan have increased from late July to November for women in all age groups and for men in the 20-29 and 80+ years age group. Targeted interventions based on age and gender might be more effective in reducing suicide during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan.

Automated summary

Using data from January to November 2020, it was found that suicide rates in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic have increased for women in all age groups and for men aged 20-29 and 80 and above. Targeted interventions based on age and gender may be more effective in reducing suicide rates during the pandemic in Japan.