A recent report by UNICEF has revealed that while Japanese children excel in physical health, their mental well-being remains among the poorest in the developed world. Ranking 32nd out of 43 developed and emerging nations, Japan’s position is largely attributed to a troublingly high youth suicide rate, despite improvements in other areas of child development. This stark finding underscores an urgent need for both national awareness and targeted policies to address the mental health crisis among Japanese youth, offering important lessons for countries across Asia, including Thailand.
The UNICEF report, released this week, is part of an ongoing international effort to compare the well-being of children among members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the European Union. Evaluating nations in three categories — mental well-being, physical health, and academic and social skills — the 2025 survey shows Japan has made progress in overall rankings (now 14th overall, up from 20th in the last report), with a notable jump in academic and social skills (12th compared to 27th previously), and consistent top rankings for physical health. However, these successes starkly contrast with Japan’s ongoing mental health crisis among its young people. While the nation improved from 37th in 2020 to 32nd in the latest report for mental health, its youth suicide rate remains the fourth highest among the countries surveyed, significantly worsening from 12th in the previous study (Kyodo News).
The situation is especially alarming given the wider societal context. Unlike many wealthy countries, Japan often reports a lack of public dialogue about children’s mental health. As noted by a poverty expert at Tokyo Metropolitan University, “There is little awareness that children have mental problems in Japan, and government measures have been ineffective.” This cultural reticence to address and discuss mental well-being parallels longstanding social norms in which stoicism and perseverance are highly valued, potentially making it harder for children to seek help (Japan Today).
UNICEF’s data collection involved factors such as self-reported life satisfaction, suicide rates, and levels of psychological distress among children and adolescents. Despite having superior physical health outcomes (helped in part by robust government regulation of health care access and generally low levels of childhood obesity), Japan’s youth are disproportionately affected by mental illness and suicide. This is a grave contrast to The Netherlands, which topped the overall well-being index and is frequently praised for its open, supportive approach to child development and mental health.
Academic stress is often regarded as a core contributor to Japanese children’s psychological distress. The nation’s highly competitive education system places enormous pressure on students from an early age. Combined with societal stigma regarding mental illness, many children may hesitate to seek counselling or other support mechanisms. Bullying is another factor: recent national studies indicate a persistent problem with peer harassment, further elevating risk for anxiety, depression, and suicide (AA.com.tr).
Among experts and advocates for children’s rights, there is growing consensus that Japan’s “academic-first” culture must shift towards a more balanced approach that prioritizes emotional, psychological, and social health. The pandemic has played a significant role in exacerbating existing challenges. According to the UNICEF report, COVID-19 has negatively impacted children’s mental and physical health and educational outcomes in Japan and across much of the developed world. Isolation, disruptions to schooling, and anxiety about the future have driven up psychological distress, with long-term consequences still unfolding.
The Japanese government provides universal health coverage and regulates medical costs, ensuring relatively equal physical health care access for all residents (Wikipedia). Despite these strengths, mental health services — especially those targeting young people — remain underdeveloped. Government insurance does theoretically cover psychiatric services, but cultural barriers and lack of specialized professionals often leave children’s psychological needs unmet.
For Thailand, these developments offer crucial lessons. While suicide rates among Thai youth have not reached Japan’s alarming levels, the social dynamics that contribute to distress among Japanese children — such as intense academic competition and stigma around mental health issues — are increasingly present in Thai society. The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Public Health in Thailand have made efforts to integrate mental health programming within schools, but access to mental health professionals remains limited outside metropolitan areas. According to mental health charity representatives, the Thai education system still undervalues emotional and psychological support, focusing instead on academic results. Bullying and cyberbullying further compound these issues, as seen in high-profile Thai news coverage in recent years.
Culturally, both Japan and Thailand share norms that emphasize family honor, social conformity, and perseverance through hardship. While these values have many positive aspects, they can sometimes discourage frank discussion of mental health challenges. In Thailand, beliefs about the causes of suffering and mental illness often draw on Buddhist philosophy, which — while promoting mindfulness and compassion — may not always translate into accessing professional help for psychiatric conditions. This highlights the importance of culturally sensitive approaches for both prevention and intervention.
Looking ahead, UNICEF calls on governments, schools, and communities to prioritize children’s mental health. This involves not only allocating greater resources to mental health services but also fostering environments where young people feel safe to share their feelings and seek help. In Japan, a shift in public attitudes — fostered by education and open dialogue — will be needed alongside policy reforms. In Thailand, policymakers could take proactive inspiration from Japan’s challenges by investing in early detection, teacher training, anti-bullying campaigns, and in-school counselling networks.
The campaign for children’s well-being must respond to emerging 21st-century threats, including epidemic outbreaks, climate anxiety, and the disruptive effects of technology and social media. These challenges are shared regionally if not globally, and lessons learned from Japan’s ongoing struggle can shape more effective policies in Thailand. As UNICEF’s message makes clear, no society can afford to neglect its youngest and most vulnerable, especially when their distress signals are so clear.
For Thai families, educators, and policymakers, the actionable takeaway is to look beyond traditional academic success and nurture the whole child — body and mind. Encourage open conversation about mental health at home and in the classroom. Demand better training and resources for schools to recognize psychological distress and intervene early. Support national-level initiatives that destigmatize seeking help for mental health issues. Only by building supportive, understanding communities will the invisible suffering among children be meaningfully addressed — in Japan, in Thailand, and beyond.
Sources: Kyodo News, Japan Today, AA.com.tr, Wikipedia: Health care system in Japan.