After nine consecutive years of a suicide rate exceeding 30,000 a year, the Japanese government is finally backing a survey to identify the reasons behind this shocking statistic.

Out of the G8 countries, only Russia has a higher suicide rate than Japan.

The independent survey is to investigate 1,000 suicides and compile a report by March 2008, and supports the government’s recent guidelines on suicide prevention.

Although the National Police Agency reported a decline in suicides in 2006; 32,155, a drop of 1.2%, it worryingly showed that student suicides increased to 886, the worst figure since 1978 when records began.

Police attributed the suicides to bullying and pressure to perform well at school.