The number of recorded suicides in Japan in 2014 was 25,427 -- the third year in a row that the figure has been below 30,000, the National Police Agency (NPA) said in a report Thursday.

The number of suicides was above 30,000 for 14 straight years from 1998 to 2011. The figure for 2014 was 1,856 fewer than in 2013, a 6.8% drop.

By prefecture, Tokyo had the most suicides with 2,636, followed by Kanagawa with 1,422, Aichi (1,395) and Osaka (1,386). Tottori Prefecture had the lowest number at 114, the NPA report said.

The main reasons for suicide, as stated in suicide notes left behind, were mental and physical health problems in 12,920 cases, financial problems (4,144), family or relationship problems (3,644) and work-related issues (2,227), the NPA said.

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