Japan - Suicides Down as Economy Improves

Japan - The number of Japanese who committed suicide fell by nearly 8 percent in the first half of this year, government data showed, a drop one official said reflected the improving economy.

A total of 14,828 people committed suicide from January to June, down from 16,082 in the same period of 2005, data from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare showed.
A ministry official said that the drop in the number of people killing themselves was partly linked to the economy shaking off a decade-long economic slump.