New law to curb rising suicides

JAPAN: Japan's parliament was set to approve a law that would compel authorities to tackle the nation's alarmingly high suicide rate, including calling on employers to provide mental health care for staff.

The lower house was set to pass the bill, which includes provisions for the families of suicide victims and calls on employers to offer mental health care to employees.

It also calls for more research into preventing suicides, an upgrade of medical facilities and a public awareness campaign that would highlight the signs of potential suicide.

It would require the central government and local authorities to work together to put those programs in place, according to the Cabinet Office.

Japan's suicide rate is among the highest in the industrialized world. More than 32,000 Japanese took their own lives in 2004, the bulk of them older Japanese suffering financial woes as the country struggled through a decade of economic stagnation. Tikyo, Thursday, AP

Japan has earmarked substantial budget for programs to help those with depression and other mental conditions.

Tikyo, Thursday, AP