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Tokyo: Suicides in Japan neared a record high in 2007, with over 33,000 people taking their lives, a report released on Thursday says.
The report issued by Japan’s National Police Agency says 33,093 people killed themselves last year, despite a government campaign against it.
The figure is the second-largest number on record after 34,427 in 2003.
The main causes for suicide are believed to be debt, family problems, depression and other health issues.
The number of suicides involving toxic hydrogen sulphide gas made from household detergents also saw a large increase.
A government spokesman said the data was regrettable and said they were trying to do as much as possible.
Japan has the second-highest suicide rate in the Group of Eight nations after Russia according to the World Health Organisation.
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