Japan has seen the number of suicides last year fall for the eighth year in a row, the National Police Agency says.
However people 19 and under were the only group to see a rise from 2016.
The number of people who killed themselves in 2017 fell 3.5 per cent against the previous year to 21,140, the lowest figure in 22 years, the agency said.
Nearly 70 per cent of the suicides were men, it said.
But experts warned about 58 people on average took their own lives each day last year.
The decline has been attributed to the community-based efforts of activists, citizens groups and local government officials, experts and activists say.
Japan has long been plagued by suicide. From 1998 to 2011, more than 30,000 people committed suicide annually, with a peak of 34,427 in 2003.
Japan's prolonged economic slumps were mainly blamed for the increases.
Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467.
MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78.
Share
