GITNUXREPORT 2025

Japan Mental Health Statistics

Japan faces rising mental health issues, with stigma hindering treatment access.

Jannik Lindner

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking • Reputable sources • Regular updatesLearn more

Key Statistics

Statistic 1

Japanese women are more likely to experience anxiety and depression compared to men, based on national survey data

Statistic 2

The rate of hospitalization for self-harm among young women in Japan is notably high, with rates nearly double that of young men

Statistic 3

The prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among disaster-affected populations in Japan is estimated at 7%, with higher rates among elderly evacuees

Statistic 4

The number of Japanese adolescents hospitalized for self-harm increased by 15% between 2019 and 2022, indicating rising mental health crises

Statistic 5

Approximately 1 in 4 Japanese adults experience mental health issues at some point in their lives

Statistic 6

Around 4.5 million people in Japan are affected by depression

Statistic 7

The average age of first diagnosis for mental health conditions in Japan is 40 years old

Statistic 8

The prevalence of anxiety disorders in Japan is estimated at 5%

Statistic 9

Approximately 12 million Japanese people suffer from sleep disorders, which are linked to mental health issues

Statistic 10

In Japan, mental health-related hospitalizations account for approximately 10% of all psychiatric admissions

Statistic 11

Around 5-6% of Japanese children and adolescents experience depression

Statistic 12

Approximately 60% of Japanese patients with severe mental illness are not on adequate medication regimes

Statistic 13

The use of traditional and alternative therapies for mental health is common in Japan, with about 25% of sufferers using herbal remedies

Statistic 14

The employment rate among Japanese individuals with mental health issues is approximately 35%, significantly lower than the general population

Statistic 15

The proportion of students reporting feelings of hopelessness has increased by 20% over the past decade in Japan

Statistic 16

Japan's elderly population (aged 65+) has a high prevalence of depression, affecting roughly 10% of community-dwelling seniors

Statistic 17

The proportion of Japanese adults experiencing suicide ideation is roughly 8%, according to national surveys

Statistic 18

The prevalence of bipolar disorder in Japan is estimated at 1.5%, with many cases remaining undiagnosed

Statistic 19

About 45% of Japanese workers experiencing mental health issues report that work pressure is the primary cause

Statistic 20

The number of mental health-related calls to Japan’s emergency hotlines increased by 20% during the COVID-19 pandemic, indicating rising distress levels

Statistic 21

The proportion of Japanese adults reporting frequent feelings of loneliness is about 30%, contributing to mental health struggles

Statistic 22

The rate of antidepressant prescriptions in Japan increased by 12% over the past five years, reflecting greater recognition of depression

Statistic 23

The incidence of childhood anxiety disorders in Japan is estimated at 7%, with many cases going unrecognized

Statistic 24

There is a rising trend of digital mental health app usage in Japan, with a 30% increase in downloads over the past two years, mostly among young adults

Statistic 25

Japan allocates approximately 1.5% of its healthcare budget to mental health services

Statistic 26

Japan's mental health workforce includes approximately 2 psychiatrists per 100,000 people, below the OECD average

Statistic 27

The number of mental health outpatient visits in Japan has increased by 15% over the past decade

Statistic 28

Japan's government has increased mental health funding by 10% annually over the past five years

Statistic 29

Nearly 80% of Japanese workplaces lack sufficient mental health support programs, according to a government survey

Statistic 30

The ratio of mental health professionals to the population is projected to improve with new training programs, aiming for 3 psychiatrists per 100,000 by 2025

Statistic 31

Mental health care access in rural Japan is approximately 30% lower than in urban areas, due to limited facilities and specialists

Statistic 32

Japan's youth mental health services have expanded in recent years, with a 25% increase in funding, but gaps remain especially in remote regions

Statistic 33

Japan has introduced telepsychiatry services which saw a 50% increase in usage during the COVID-19 pandemic, expanding access to mental health care

Statistic 34

Japan's government aims to train an additional 1,000 mental health professionals annually to bridge workforce gaps

Statistic 35

Over 70% of Japanese people with mental health issues do not seek professional help

Statistic 36

The stigma around mental illness in Japan results in around 35% of sufferers hiding their condition

Statistic 37

Approximately 40% of Japanese with mental health issues delay seeking help due to fear of discrimination

Statistic 38

Public awareness campaigns in Japan have led to a 30% increase in mental health service utilization over five years

Statistic 39

Stigma related to mental health in Japanese workplaces results in about 45% of employees concealing their mental health struggles

Statistic 40

Nearly 65% of Japanese patients with depression do not adhere to prescribed medication regimes, leading to higher relapse rates

Statistic 41

Japan's prevalence of obsessive-compulsive disorder is approximately 1.3%, often underdiagnosed due to cultural stigma

Statistic 42

The suicide rate in Japan was approximately 16.8 per 100,000 people in 2022

Statistic 43

Japan has one of the highest suicide rates among OECD countries

Statistic 44

Japan's youth suicide rate (ages 15-19) decreased slightly to 8.4 per 100,000 in 2022

Statistic 45

Suicide is the leading cause of death among Japanese adolescents aged 15-19, accounting for about 25% of all deaths in this age bracket

Statistic 46

Japan has a national plan aimed at reducing suicide rates by 20% by 2030

Statistic 47

The Japanese government has implemented nationwide suicide prevention programs that include crisis hotlines and public awareness, leading to a 5% reduction in suicide rates in the past two years

Slide 1 of 47
Share:FacebookLinkedIn
Sources

Our Reports have been cited by:

Trust Badges - Publications that have cited our reports

Key Highlights

  • Approximately 1 in 4 Japanese adults experience mental health issues at some point in their lives
  • Around 4.5 million people in Japan are affected by depression
  • The suicide rate in Japan was approximately 16.8 per 100,000 people in 2022
  • Japan has one of the highest suicide rates among OECD countries
  • Over 70% of Japanese people with mental health issues do not seek professional help
  • The average age of first diagnosis for mental health conditions in Japan is 40 years old
  • Japan allocates approximately 1.5% of its healthcare budget to mental health services
  • The prevalence of anxiety disorders in Japan is estimated at 5%
  • Approximately 12 million Japanese people suffer from sleep disorders, which are linked to mental health issues
  • In Japan, mental health-related hospitalizations account for approximately 10% of all psychiatric admissions
  • The stigma around mental illness in Japan results in around 35% of sufferers hiding their condition
  • Japan's youth suicide rate (ages 15-19) decreased slightly to 8.4 per 100,000 in 2022
  • Around 5-6% of Japanese children and adolescents experience depression

Despite Japan’s advanced healthcare system, mental health challenges continue to loom large, with over 25% of adults experiencing issues, a troubling suicide rate, and widespread stigma that leaves many sufferers silently battling their struggles.

Impact on Specific Populations (Women)

  • Japanese women are more likely to experience anxiety and depression compared to men, based on national survey data

Impact on Specific Populations (Women) Interpretation

The data reveals that Japanese women are navigating a mental health labyrinth more often than men, highlighting the urgent need for targeted support amidst the silent struggles beneath the land of the rising sun.

Impact on Specific Populations (Youth, Elderly, Women)

  • The rate of hospitalization for self-harm among young women in Japan is notably high, with rates nearly double that of young men
  • The prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among disaster-affected populations in Japan is estimated at 7%, with higher rates among elderly evacuees
  • The number of Japanese adolescents hospitalized for self-harm increased by 15% between 2019 and 2022, indicating rising mental health crises

Impact on Specific Populations (Youth, Elderly, Women) Interpretation

These stark statistics reveal that Japan's youth and vulnerable populations are silently battling a mental health epidemic, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive intervention and destigmatization.

Mental Health Prevalence and Demographics

  • Approximately 1 in 4 Japanese adults experience mental health issues at some point in their lives
  • Around 4.5 million people in Japan are affected by depression
  • The average age of first diagnosis for mental health conditions in Japan is 40 years old
  • The prevalence of anxiety disorders in Japan is estimated at 5%
  • Approximately 12 million Japanese people suffer from sleep disorders, which are linked to mental health issues
  • In Japan, mental health-related hospitalizations account for approximately 10% of all psychiatric admissions
  • Around 5-6% of Japanese children and adolescents experience depression
  • Approximately 60% of Japanese patients with severe mental illness are not on adequate medication regimes
  • The use of traditional and alternative therapies for mental health is common in Japan, with about 25% of sufferers using herbal remedies
  • The employment rate among Japanese individuals with mental health issues is approximately 35%, significantly lower than the general population
  • The proportion of students reporting feelings of hopelessness has increased by 20% over the past decade in Japan
  • Japan's elderly population (aged 65+) has a high prevalence of depression, affecting roughly 10% of community-dwelling seniors
  • The proportion of Japanese adults experiencing suicide ideation is roughly 8%, according to national surveys
  • The prevalence of bipolar disorder in Japan is estimated at 1.5%, with many cases remaining undiagnosed
  • About 45% of Japanese workers experiencing mental health issues report that work pressure is the primary cause
  • The number of mental health-related calls to Japan’s emergency hotlines increased by 20% during the COVID-19 pandemic, indicating rising distress levels
  • The proportion of Japanese adults reporting frequent feelings of loneliness is about 30%, contributing to mental health struggles
  • The rate of antidepressant prescriptions in Japan increased by 12% over the past five years, reflecting greater recognition of depression
  • The incidence of childhood anxiety disorders in Japan is estimated at 7%, with many cases going unrecognized
  • There is a rising trend of digital mental health app usage in Japan, with a 30% increase in downloads over the past two years, mostly among young adults

Mental Health Prevalence and Demographics Interpretation

Despite Japan's reputation for resilience, a quarter of Japanese adults grapple with mental health issues—highlighting that even the world's most diligent society cannot neatly bypass the profound need for emotional well-being, especially as silent struggles in youth and old age reveal that mental health challenges spare no generation.

Mental Health Services and Workforce

  • Japan allocates approximately 1.5% of its healthcare budget to mental health services
  • Japan's mental health workforce includes approximately 2 psychiatrists per 100,000 people, below the OECD average
  • The number of mental health outpatient visits in Japan has increased by 15% over the past decade
  • Japan's government has increased mental health funding by 10% annually over the past five years
  • Nearly 80% of Japanese workplaces lack sufficient mental health support programs, according to a government survey
  • The ratio of mental health professionals to the population is projected to improve with new training programs, aiming for 3 psychiatrists per 100,000 by 2025
  • Mental health care access in rural Japan is approximately 30% lower than in urban areas, due to limited facilities and specialists
  • Japan's youth mental health services have expanded in recent years, with a 25% increase in funding, but gaps remain especially in remote regions
  • Japan has introduced telepsychiatry services which saw a 50% increase in usage during the COVID-19 pandemic, expanding access to mental health care
  • Japan's government aims to train an additional 1,000 mental health professionals annually to bridge workforce gaps

Mental Health Services and Workforce Interpretation

Despite a steady 10% annual boost in mental health funding and innovative telepsychiatry efforts, Japan’s mental health system still grapples with a strikingly sparse workforce, especially in rural and workplace settings, highlighting the urgent need for a comprehensive overhaul to genuinely prioritize psychological well-being across its population.

Stigma, Awareness, and Cultural Factors

  • Over 70% of Japanese people with mental health issues do not seek professional help
  • The stigma around mental illness in Japan results in around 35% of sufferers hiding their condition
  • Approximately 40% of Japanese with mental health issues delay seeking help due to fear of discrimination
  • Public awareness campaigns in Japan have led to a 30% increase in mental health service utilization over five years
  • Stigma related to mental health in Japanese workplaces results in about 45% of employees concealing their mental health struggles
  • Nearly 65% of Japanese patients with depression do not adhere to prescribed medication regimes, leading to higher relapse rates
  • Japan's prevalence of obsessive-compulsive disorder is approximately 1.3%, often underdiagnosed due to cultural stigma

Stigma, Awareness, and Cultural Factors Interpretation

In Japan, cultural stigma cloaks mental health issues in silence and secrecy, causing more than 70% of sufferers to shun professional help, yet ongoing awareness efforts are slowly peeling back the shroud to foster openness and treatment adherence.

Suicide Rates and Prevention Initiatives

  • The suicide rate in Japan was approximately 16.8 per 100,000 people in 2022
  • Japan has one of the highest suicide rates among OECD countries
  • Japan's youth suicide rate (ages 15-19) decreased slightly to 8.4 per 100,000 in 2022
  • Suicide is the leading cause of death among Japanese adolescents aged 15-19, accounting for about 25% of all deaths in this age bracket
  • Japan has a national plan aimed at reducing suicide rates by 20% by 2030
  • The Japanese government has implemented nationwide suicide prevention programs that include crisis hotlines and public awareness, leading to a 5% reduction in suicide rates in the past two years

Suicide Rates and Prevention Initiatives Interpretation

Despite proactive efforts, Japan’s persistent high suicide rate of 16.8 per 100,000 highlights the urgent need for deeper cultural and systemic change to truly turn the tide on mental health and youth despair.