Suicide in Mie Prefecture, Japan, since 1990.

The number of suicides in Japan has increased to over 30,000 per year since 1998. Similarly, the number of suicides has been increasing in Mie Prefecture. In the present study, we examined the incidence and the circumstances of all suicidal cases that were reported to the Mie Prefectural Police Headquarters during the thirteen-year period 1990-2002. In Mie Prefecture, the number of suicides per year averaged 363.1. The largest numbers occurred in the spring and early summer months. For men, suicides were most common in the 50-59-year age group; for women, they were most common in the 70-79-year age group. As for the methods of suicide, hanging was the most frequent for both genders. The major causative factors of suicide were described as "suffering from physical illness", "psychiatric disorders" and "economic difficulties". Of these, "psychiatric disorders" was the most important causative factor for the younger groups of both genders. For the middle-aged group of men, the most important causative factor was "economic difficulties". "Suffering from physical illness" was the most serious causative factor for the elderly group of both genders. In order to prevent suicide, urgent strategies for effective medical treatment and social cooperation are required.