Japan has the highest suicide rate in the group of seven industrialized nations, according to a report published on Tuesday.

A total of 32,249 people committed suicide in Japan last year, or 23.7 suicides per 100,000 people in 2008.

Annual suicide rates in Japan have exceeded 30,000 for the past decade. With 24,846 suicides reported through September, this year's figures are nearing the 2003 record of 34,427.

Health problems are the main cause for suicides, accounting for 65% of all cases, followed by financial and family problems.

Police have blamed the rise in the suicide rate on the worsening economic situation in the country amid the global financial crisis and large-scale job losses. The suicide rate in 2007, when the Japanese economy was buoyant, was the country's lowest for many years.

TOKYO, November 17 (RIA Novosti)