Photo/Illutration Many women experience anxiety or emotional distress during pregnancy. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

An alarming 162 pregnant and postpartum women died by suicide in Japan between 2022 and 2024, prompting health care officials and support groups to institute safeguards and increase public awareness.

The data highlights two particularly vulnerable groups: women in their early 20s during pregnancy; and women in their early 40s within a year after giving birth.

The findings were released by the Japan Suicide Countermeasures Promotion Center (JSCP), which analyzed raw data provided by the police.

This marks Japan’s first analysis of suicide statistics for the perinatal period, following a decision by the National Police Agency in 2022 to begin tracking such cases.

Of the 162 suicide cases, 28 percent occurred during pregnancy, 16 percent within two months after birth, and 56 percent between three months and one year postpartum.

Younger pregnant women were at higher risk, with the number of suicides per 100,000 births reaching 7.5 among those aged 20 to 24.

This is more than double the rate of 3.6 in the next highest age group, women aged 40 to 44.

The suicide rate within one year after childbirth was highest among women aged 40 to 44, at 13 per 100,000.

That's nearly twice the rate of 6.6 seen in the next highest age group, women aged 35 to 39.

The data suggests a disproportionately higher risk of suicide for young pregnant women in their early 20s and postpartum women in their 40s, highlighting a need for targeted support for these age groups.

FAMILY ISSUES AMONG COMMON FACTORS

The JSCP found that among pregnant women, suicides were often linked to family issues in married women and to relationship problems in those without husbands.

For postpartum women, the leading causes were also family issues, particularly struggles with child-rearing, and health-related problems, such as depression.

JSCP Director Yasuyuki Shimizu emphasized the need for stronger support for those at high risk and for outreach to grieving families.

“Don’t struggle alone. Take a step forward and reach out for help,” Shimizu said.

During pregnancy and after giving birth, many women experience anxiety or emotional distress due to physical, psychological and lifestyle changes.

Those facing an unintended pregnancy may become isolated if they are unable to receive support from those around them.

According to the Japan Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, one in 10 women experience postpartum depression.

Symptoms that warrant professional attention include uncontrollable crying, lack of enjoyment in parenting, insomnia, loss of appetite and feelings of guilt and worthlessness.

Health experts stress the importance of early intervention and encourage women to seek help from their local clinics or public health centers at the first sign that something feels off.

GROWING PUBLIC SUPPORT

The government has been expanding support through postpartum checkups and maternal care services.

One of the goals of the two-week postpartum checkup is the early detection of mental health issues.

Thanks in part to increased local government subsidies, the availability of checkups has grown significantly–rising from 56.2 percent of maternity hospitals nationwide in 2017 to 86.8 percent in 2025.

However, disparities remain, with only 60 percent of institutions in nonsubsidized areas conducting the checkups.

In addition, some hospitals continue to impose restrictions that began during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as limiting partner or family attendance at maternity classes or outpatient visits.

These measures pose ongoing challenges in balancing infection control with maternal mental health support.

Nevertheless, public support for postpartum care programs has been expanding, notably through increased funding from the Children and Families Agency.

These services, including overnight stays, daytime programs and home visits, also provide access to midwives and other trained professionals.

Related News