Suicides are on the rise among Japanese young people aged 13 to 19. That concerns 21-year-old Koki Ozora, who suffered from depression as a child. Ozora started a nonprofit volunteer organization called Anata no Ibasho. In English, that means “a place for you.” The group offers a 24-hour text-messaging service for those seeking a sympathetic listener. Anata no Ibasho promises to answer every request, as soon as possible and sometimes within seconds. The online Japanese-language message service has grown to 500 volunteers since March. Many of them live in other countries and different time zones. The volunteers provide assistance during the hours when suicides are most common, from 10 at night to sunrise. Ozora’s idea has worked well during the COVID-19 crisis. Every part of the operation is carried out online, including training for volunteers. Anata no Ibasho grew its volunteer numbers quickly. Such online services are rare in Japan. “This really gives me hope,” Ozora said of the large number of volunteers. “They tell me they just had to do something.” Anata no Ibasho has received more than 15,000 online messages asking for help, or about 130 a day.
