Death-themed events inspiring life amid increasing youth suicides in Japan

The Mainichi

20-07-2025

TOKYO -- Youth suicides climbed to a record high in Japan in 2024, raising the question of how to rescue young people harboring suicidal thoughts. Various groups, including universities, governments and private organizations have launched initiatives to address the issue, including events that lift the taboo on discussing death.
Simulating death to inspire life
On June 24, Ritsumeikan University hosted an experiential lecture where students participated in a "coffin experience." The session was led by Mikako Fuse, a custom coffin maker.
Students lay in coffins with the lids closed for several minutes. This experience, also conducted at the end-of-life planning bar Memento Mori in Tokyo's Koto Ward, apparently changes many participants' perceptions of death and increases their desire to live, according to Fuse.
Of the 30 students who attended the lecture, about 80% participated in the coffin experience. The impact was profound. Students shared positive reflections such as, "It was an opportunity to reflect on myself and reset my worries," and, "The fear of death disappeared, and I felt a stronger desire to live." The experience seemed to heighten their focus on "self-understanding and connections with others."
Rising suicidal ideation among young students
The lecture was prompted by growing concerns over increasing suicidal ideation among young people. According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the number of suicides in 2024 reached about 20,000, the second lowest on record. However, among elementary, junior high and high school students, the trend is increasing, with 529 taking their own lives in 2024 -- the highest figure among records dating back to 1980.
Many young people harbor suicidal thoughts without acting on them. In a 2022 Nippon Foundation survey of some 15,000 people aged 18 to 29, 44.8% admitted having seriously considered taking their own lives.
"Today's youth face complex and multilayered social isolation. They may, after much contemplation, choose suicide to alleviate their struggles with life's difficulties," said Aya Seike, a professor of social medicine at Ritsumeikan University who organized the lecture. Explaining the goal of the event, Seike stated, "Facing death as a means of reevaluating life is an extremely important activity." She plans to use data from these coffin experiences to develop programs aimed at alleviating the difficulties of living, with the hope of preventing suicides.
Events focusing on death gaining momentum
The Shibuya Hikarie commercial complex in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward hosted "Death Fes," a fest centered on the theme of death, around April 14, informally designated as "Good Death Day" in Japan. Attendance doubled from the previous year's inaugural event, with approximately 4,200 people, about 20% of whom were in their teens and 20s.
The event featured talks and discussions on death, including programs that emphasized a strong awareness of mortality. Asked about the reason for holding such an event, Nozomi Ichikawa, who organized and managed Death Fes, stated, "Death is often taboo in society, but many people want to learn about it."
A survey by funeral company Tear Co. found that 26.8% of people in their 20s are engaged in "end-of-life planning," such as drafting wills. This indicates an increased awareness of mortality among young people.
This, Ichikawa emphasized, is precisely why events like Death Fes are necessary. "It's not possible for others to unilaterally address someone's wish to die. If they have a place where such feelings can be acknowledged, it leads to a sense of security. We need to delve into why someone wants to die," she said.
A shift in perspective for a young man
Kazuki, 27, a volunteer at Death Fes, has personally grappled with suicidal thoughts. Without a clear reason, he described a vague anxiety that led to feelings of wanting to die. His interest in death led him to work in caregiving, where he witnessed the end of life firsthand. Searching for answers, he attended last year's Death Fes and has since engaged in ongoing dialogues with participants.
"Deepening my understanding of death and having someone to consult with has been a major turning point. The presence of family and friends who believe in me is significant," he said.
Kazuki now sees his desire to die as a reflection of a wish to live better. He feels that his suicidal thoughts have significantly diminished.
Kazuki's experience is not unique. Many have struggled and contemplated death, but sharing concerns with others can bring peace of mind. Both government and private sectors have established hotlines for easy access to support, many of which operate around the clock.
(Japanese original by Yuko Shimada, Business News Department)
-- Suicide prevention hotline in Japan with English support
TELL Japan (English): https://telljp.com/
Telephone hotline: [phone] (Daily)
Online chat: https://telljp.com/lifeline/
Counseling inquiries: 03-4550-1146
A selection of emergency numbers with multilingual support is also provided at the bottom of their home page.
*Operating hours for the telephone hotline and online chat depend on the day and are subject to change. Check the Facebook page linked below for up-to-date information:
https://www.facebook.com/telljapan/