232,000 people show symptoms of mental illness

A government survey has found a record number of people are going to hospitals with symptoms of mental illness.

The survey is conducted every 3 years, targeting over 13,600 medical institutions nationwide.

As of October last year, on average 232,300 people went to medical institutions per day with psychological issues.

The number has increased steadily since 1996, when it was 155,600.

Keio University Professor Yutaka Ono attributed the increase to stress and anxiety caused by societal factors, like the prolonged recession. He said only a quarter of the people who need help visit hospitals.