Prime Minister Naoto Kan attended the eighth meeting of the Council on Comprehensive Measures to Prevent Suicide at the Prime Minister's Office.

Discussion took place on major initiatives for measures to prevent suicide that are to be implemented intensively within this year, as well as the establishment of a task force for measures against suicide.

The Prime Minister said in his closing address, "The reality is that for the past 12 years, the number of suicides has surpassed 30,000 a year. While the number of suicides this year is down compared to last year, unfortunately, the number increased in July and remained unchanged for August compared with the same months last year. We are facing a situation in which the number of suicides may start to increase again.
In order to thoroughly tackle this issue with renewed effort, I have asked Mr. Yasuyuki Shimizu to once again as take up the position of special advisor to the Cabinet Office. I have also decided to establish a task force for measures to prevent suicide. Although each ministry is currently implementing their own initiatives, I hope that everyone who is involved with the task force for measures to prevent suicide will make a great effort in order to promote focused cooperation on this issue.
I have been using the phrase 'society with a minimum level of unhappiness.' I believe that reducing the reasons for suicides is at least one way to realize such a society. I ask for your further cooperation toward this goal."