Thecuy, you may have often heard about many suicide cases in Japan. The country has adopted an unusual approach to lower these numbers by installing blue LED lights on multiple platforms.
This policy caught attention after several studies observed a decline in suicide cases at stations where the lighting was installed.
In 2009, East Japan Railway Company took action after rail suicide cases rose from 42 in 2007 to 68 in 2009. The company then installed special blue lights above platforms in all 29 Yamanote Line stations.
Melansir dari Psychology Today, blue is associated with the sky and sea, and the installation of these lights serves as an effort to calm someone who might be facing difficulties.
<section id="section-detail-2" class="multi-card " data-page="2" data-page-title="Beberapa Penelitian Blue Light Turunkan Angka Bunuh Diri di Jepang" dtr-evt="halaman selanjutnya" dtr-sec="halaman selanjutnya" dtr-act="tombol halaman selanjutnya" dtr-id="324435" dtr-ttl="Beberapa Penelitian Blue Light Turunkan Angka Bunuh Diri di Jepang" onclick="_pt(this)" readability="21.910609037328">
<h2 class="fw-bold fs-5">Multiple Studies Indicate Blue Light Lowers Suicide Rates in Japan</h2>
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<p>Blue light is said to reduce suicides in Japan. Research indicates up to 84 percent/Foto: pexels.com/Federico Abis</p>
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<p>Research on the installation of <em>blue light</em> on Japanese station platforms observed a significant drop in suicide cases after the lights were put in place. An initial 2013 study published in <em>Journal of Affective Disorders</em> reported a decline of up to 84% between 2000 and 2010. Follow‑up studies also noted decreases, but other research later questioned how large the effect actually was.</p>
According to Psychology Today, another study by researchers found that suicide cases on Japanese trains increased after several days of bad weather. Scientists at Shiga University of Medical Science analyzed 971 cases of suicide and attempted suicide and suggested that exposure to light (whether blue light or bright white) on trains could help lower train suicides, especially when sunless days were expected.
Researchers are still exploring various possibilities, including how blue light affects a person’s psychological state and passenger behavior on the platform. Research on this topic is ongoing. In 2026, a team at the Karolinska Institute stated that the reason behind blue light’s possible success still requires further investigation.
Blue Light Is Not the Only Suicide Prevention Measure
Blue light is not the only preventive measure. Japan also uses AI technology/Foto: pexels.com/Jerry Wang
To reduce suicide, Japan is not only installing blue light at stations. Other methods include physical barriers and platform screen doors. The plan is underway in every Tokyo station up to 2032.
According to an Anadolu Agency report in June 2026, an AI system developed by Japanese firm Asilla can analyze CCTV footage and alert staff when it detects specific behavior patterns, such as someone staying too long near the platform edge or building fence. The technology has been deployed at several stations and commercial facilities in Tokyo and Kanagawa Prefecture.
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<p>(dmh/dmh)</p>
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