Japan ranks low in youth mental health despite physical and academic gains, UNICEF says

Japanese children continue to struggle with mental health issues, ranking 32nd out of 43 developed and emerging countries, according to a new UNICEF report, despite notable improvements in education and strong physical health indicators.

Japan continues to face significant challenges regarding the mental well-being of its youth, ranking 32nd among 43 countries in a new report released Wednesday by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). While the ranking is a slight improvement from 37th in 2020, Japan’s youth suicide rate has worsened, rising to the fourth highest among wealthy nations - a stark increase from 12th place just a few years ago, according to Kyodo News.

In contrast, Japan maintained its top position in physical health and improved to 12th place in academic and social skills. Overall, Japan ranked 14th when all well-being indicators were combined.

The UNICEF report assessed countries that are members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the European Union across three core areas: mental well-being, physical health, and academic and social skills. The Netherlands ranked highest overall, while the United States and six other countries were excluded from parts of the assessment due to insufficient mental health data.

The findings reflect the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has disrupted education systems and strained children's mental and physical health across developed nations. The report calls on all governments to take stronger action to address the growing challenges faced by young people, especially amid global instability caused by pandemics, conflict, and climate change.

UNICEF urged countries to implement comprehensive mental health support systems and to ensure that every child can grow up in a safe, healthy, and nurturing environment.

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