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Men in Japan were more likely to commit suicide than women in Japan. With ** deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, the number of fatalities among men reached approximately * in 2025.

Why is suicide more prevalent among men in Japan? 

Japan's high suicide rates have been closely associated with the economic situation of the individuals. Existential worries and problems directly related to work are one of the main causes of self-inflicted deaths in Japan. Gender-based roles are still relevant in modern-day Japan, with women predominantly taking care of family and housekeeping, and men financially providing for their families. Despite changes in the perception of gender roles lately, it appears that economic pressure is more prevalent among men in Japan. Failure to meet social expectations may result in a higher likelihood of experiencing mental health issues, which may ultimately lead to suicidal ideation.

The impact of COVID-19 on female suicides

Women were seemingly more affected than men during the coronavirus outbreak in Japan. The reasons were complex. For one, women who were victims of domestic violence were forced to spend more time at home with their abuser. Additionally, industries hit the hardest by the pandemic were those staffed predominantly by women, such as the hospitality, retail, and caregiving sectors. Japan is undergoing a demographic change and rapidly shifting into a solo society, which resulted in more single women supporting themselves. As irregular employment is more common among female than male workers, independent women were more likely to face precarious financial situations. Overall, women in Japan presumably felt the negative effects of the pandemic more severely and in more aspects of their daily lives compared to men.