Tokyo - A Japanese high school student killed himself after suffering repeated abuse by his basketball coach, officials said on Tuesday.
The 17-year-old, who was found hanging in his room two days before Christmas, left a suicide note saying he had taken his life after being beaten by the unnamed coach, according to education authorities in the western city of Osaka.
The 47-year-old coach admitted to beating the boy and apologised to his family in the wake of his death, local media reports said, adding that police were questioning the man.
Japan, with a population of about 128 million, has one of the world's highest suicide rates, with more than 30 000 people taking their lives annually.
Rising unemployment, family troubles and health problems are cited as key factors behind many of the suicides.
The case of a 13-year-old boy who leapt to his death from an apartment building in 2011 gained national prominence after a pupil survey reportedly revealed he was subjected to a litany of abuse by bullies. - AFP