Youth Suicide in Japan: Exploring the Role of Subcultures, Internet Addiction, and Societal Pressures

Background: Youth suicide remains a significant public health concern in Japan, driven by multifaceted factors such as academic pressures, social isolation, bullying, and family dysfunction. Recent societal changes, including the rise of internet addiction and subcultural influences from anime, mang...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: George Imataka, Hideaki Shiraishi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Diseases
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9721/13/1/2
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1832588708618960896
author George Imataka
Hideaki Shiraishi
author_facet George Imataka
Hideaki Shiraishi
author_sort George Imataka
collection DOAJ
description Background: Youth suicide remains a significant public health concern in Japan, driven by multifaceted factors such as academic pressures, social isolation, bullying, and family dysfunction. Recent societal changes, including the rise of internet addiction and subcultural influences from anime, manga, and gaming, have further shaped the psychological landscape of Japanese youth. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these challenges, intensifying feelings of loneliness and anxiety about the future. Methods: This study explores the impact of these factors on youth suicide risk through a systematic review of existing literature and statistical data, focusing on trends from 2000 to 2024. Results: In 2023, 513 school-aged youth in Japan died by suicide, marking persistently high rates. High school students accounted for the majority of cases, followed by middle and elementary school students. Key risk factors include intense academic expectations, cyberbullying, and internet addiction, which are often compounded by cultural stigmas surrounding mental health. Subcultures offer both solace and potential alienation, influencing youth emotions in complex ways. The COVID-19 pandemic has also worsened mental health issues and heightened suicide risks among this vulnerable group. Conclusions: The findings highlight the urgent need for comprehensive mental health support systems tailored to Japanese cultural contexts. Recommendations include enhancing access to school-based counseling, promoting family-based interventions, and implementing policies to regulate harmful online content. Additionally, efforts must address cultural attitudes that stigmatize mental health care. Collaborative societal and policy-level interventions are crucial for mitigating youth suicide and fostering a supportive environment for young people in Japan.
format Article
id doaj-art-8a17cc8232834410bb3bc00790c4fe0e
institution Kabale University
issn 2079-9721
language English
publishDate 2024-12-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Diseases
spelling doaj-art-8a17cc8232834410bb3bc00790c4fe0e2025-01-24T13:29:13ZengMDPI AGDiseases2079-97212024-12-01131210.3390/diseases13010002Youth Suicide in Japan: Exploring the Role of Subcultures, Internet Addiction, and Societal PressuresGeorge Imataka0Hideaki Shiraishi1Department of Pediatrics, Dokkyo Medical University, Tochigi 321-0293, JapanDepartment of Pediatrics, Dokkyo Medical University, Tochigi 321-0293, JapanBackground: Youth suicide remains a significant public health concern in Japan, driven by multifaceted factors such as academic pressures, social isolation, bullying, and family dysfunction. Recent societal changes, including the rise of internet addiction and subcultural influences from anime, manga, and gaming, have further shaped the psychological landscape of Japanese youth. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these challenges, intensifying feelings of loneliness and anxiety about the future. Methods: This study explores the impact of these factors on youth suicide risk through a systematic review of existing literature and statistical data, focusing on trends from 2000 to 2024. Results: In 2023, 513 school-aged youth in Japan died by suicide, marking persistently high rates. High school students accounted for the majority of cases, followed by middle and elementary school students. Key risk factors include intense academic expectations, cyberbullying, and internet addiction, which are often compounded by cultural stigmas surrounding mental health. Subcultures offer both solace and potential alienation, influencing youth emotions in complex ways. The COVID-19 pandemic has also worsened mental health issues and heightened suicide risks among this vulnerable group. Conclusions: The findings highlight the urgent need for comprehensive mental health support systems tailored to Japanese cultural contexts. Recommendations include enhancing access to school-based counseling, promoting family-based interventions, and implementing policies to regulate harmful online content. Additionally, efforts must address cultural attitudes that stigmatize mental health care. Collaborative societal and policy-level interventions are crucial for mitigating youth suicide and fostering a supportive environment for young people in Japan.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9721/13/1/2internet addictionsuicide-promoting websitessleep deprivationoverdoseself-harm
spellingShingle George Imataka
Hideaki Shiraishi
Youth Suicide in Japan: Exploring the Role of Subcultures, Internet Addiction, and Societal Pressures
Diseases
internet addiction
suicide-promoting websites
sleep deprivation
overdose
self-harm
title Youth Suicide in Japan: Exploring the Role of Subcultures, Internet Addiction, and Societal Pressures
title_full Youth Suicide in Japan: Exploring the Role of Subcultures, Internet Addiction, and Societal Pressures
title_fullStr Youth Suicide in Japan: Exploring the Role of Subcultures, Internet Addiction, and Societal Pressures
title_full_unstemmed Youth Suicide in Japan: Exploring the Role of Subcultures, Internet Addiction, and Societal Pressures
title_short Youth Suicide in Japan: Exploring the Role of Subcultures, Internet Addiction, and Societal Pressures
title_sort youth suicide in japan exploring the role of subcultures internet addiction and societal pressures
topic internet addiction
suicide-promoting websites
sleep deprivation
overdose
self-harm
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9721/13/1/2
work_keys_str_mv AT georgeimataka youthsuicideinjapanexploringtheroleofsubculturesinternetaddictionandsocietalpressures
AT hideakishiraishi youthsuicideinjapanexploringtheroleofsubculturesinternetaddictionandsocietalpressures