67 Nepali Nationals Died in Japan Over 10 Months, 25 by Suicide; Most Were Students and Part-Time Workers
This article organizes publicly available information into a single account. Where it describes an arrest or an ongoing investigation, that reflects only one stage of criminal procedure and does not mean guilt has been established (the presumption of innocence applies). We will update this article as new information becomes available, including the outcome of prosecution, non-prosecution, or trial. This article is not intended to unfairly disparage any individual, group, nationality, ethnicity, or belief, and aims to provide objective, fact-based information.
(Translated/summarized article) Nepali-language outlet japanSamachar reported on June 27, 2026, citing information from Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Nepal in Tokyo, that 67 Nepali nationals died in Japan over the preceding 10 months, 25 of them by suicide. The report is also said to draw on coverage by the Kathmandu Post.
The majority of the deceased were young people who had come to Japan on student visas and were working part-time, with many reported cases involving work at Nepali-run hotels, restaurants, and in the construction industry. Cause of death is listed as "unknown" on many death certificates, with deaths attributed to health problems said to be extremely rare. The article points to a combination of factors as background, including economic hardship, language barriers, and mental health challenges.
Current status: This article is a translated summary based on local media reporting; as of this writing, it has not been possible to confirm the figures against an official statement from Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs or its embassy directly. The specific numbers and breakdowns should be treated with appropriate caution pending further verification.
This site's coverage has mostly focused on incidents involving technical intern trainees and foreign residents, as well as the acceptance system itself. This case highlights a side that has received less attention: the risks faced by the foreign workers and students themselves. Reports have also emerged of Nepali workers being defrauded by unscrupulous brokers when traveling to Japan on individual labor permits (related coverage), suggesting that vulnerabilities exist at multiple stages, from recruitment in the home country through to daily life after arrival in Japan.
Editorial Perspective
The Technical Intern Training Program is set to be replaced by the new Employment for Skill Development system in April 2027 (related article), and developments like this one can be seen as part of the institutional design process during that transition. Expanding acceptance also requires resolving practical issues such as broker problems in sending countries and building proper oversight systems among accepting employers. For the new system to work as intended rather than merely on paper, it will be important to continue examining how it actually operates once implemented.