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Japanese professionals in their thirties are killing themselves at unprecedented rates, as the nation struggles with a runaway suicide epidemic.
Newly published figures show that 30,093 people took their own lives in 2007 — a 2.9 per cent increase in a year — leaving the country as the most suicide-prone anywhere in the developed world and rendering government efforts to combat the problem a failure.
Suicide rates remained highest among men — at 71 per cent of the total — and very high among Japan’s rising population of over-60s. Geographically, most suicides took place in the prefecture of Yamanashi, where the forested foothills of Mount Fuji continue to attract the suicidal from around Japan.
Government analysis of the figures, for the tenth year consecutive in which suicides have remained above 30,000 mark, has exposed a series of new and troubling trends: people in their thirties are the most likely to kill themselves, and work-related depression is emerging as a prime motive.
Psychologists, sociologists and other close observers of Japanese society believe that the country is in the grip of a full-blown crisis among its young working population. Experts say that high suicide rates and the recent spate of random stabbings in public places are symptoms of a malaise that the country has ignored for too long.
Mika Tsutsumi, an economist and social analyst, said that the recent stabbings in Akihabara were worryingly predictable: the killing spree for which Tomohiro Kato was allegedly responsible was, she says, driven by a sense of hopelessness in the workplace. Underneath Japanese society is concealed “an invisible reserve army of Katos”, she said.
Even more disturbing than the raw suicide figures, said police, was the astounding recent surge in people who have taken their lives by generating highly poisonous hydrogen sulphide gas from a combination of standard household products.
Unlike more traditional methods such as hanging or drugs overdoses, the production of hydrogen sulphide endangers people in the same building and turns what used to be private despair into a public event.
Twenty-nine people used that method to end their lives last year, but after the formula for the gas was circulated widely on various “suicide websites”, it has taken on a sinister appeal to the desperate and lonely.
Since February this year, 517 people have killed themselves using the gas, about half of them in their twenties, and its macabre popularity as a method of self-destruction shows no sign of waning.
The crisis of despair gripping young working Japanese has triggered plenty of official and media hand-wringing, though little in the way of change in corporate Japan. Wages remain low, and hierarchies rigid.
“We live in an uncomfortable and restrictive society where trivial matters are important,” said Professor Kiyohiko Ikeda, a veteran social commentator at Waseda University. “The young feel a sense of deadlock; society does not accept minor mistakes.”
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I had to laugh quite lot, while reading this comments. It shows how prejudice guides the most people. I wonder why so many are killed in the US. Maybe if a jap. Guy wants to die he does not find anyone to kill him. Maybe in the US this is quite easy. So many armed in-GOD-believing killer, all over.
Frank, Berlin, Germany
I love that everyone here thinks they know exactly why this is happening. Everyone is so smart, except when it comes to actually fixing the problem.
John Blane, Calais, USA
Has anyone suggested on this post that the low birthrate might have something to do with it? I am in my 30's and am with a great woman who can't have any kids. This is a source of unhappiness and frustration for me. If I could, I would love to have a huge family with this great woman.
Eduardo, Bethesda,
A private and very lonely people, isolated by language and position in the World.
Japan is like being on an Alien Planet.
Sadly the suicides are due to a culture of indifference, the 1000's of unwanted people rotting in Osaka showed me that.
Everyone should go to Japan at least once in their life!
David Diggins, Derby., England.
Alright, I don't mean to offend anyone, but I don't think the Japanese need Jesus (let alone organized religion) as much as they need social reforms that will take the fatigue, stress, and restrictions from the workplace in Japan. Once that is taken care of, then they can worry about religion.
Nikki Potocki, Houston, USA
Jesus not only loves and saves those who come to Him, but He also gives one purpose for living, guidance, wisdom and best of all joy unspeakable that can't be found in status, materialism, or popularity. Now what other religion on earth can top that!
ellen, bakersfield, usa
People all ove rthe world are ooking for 'something', they want happiness and love and cannot find it. They can find it in Jesus Christ. It cannot be found in Budda, Mohammed or any of those that are now just dead people. Jesus is the only one that died and was resurrected, He is the Only Way.
susan, St. Louis, USA
So, our God is bigger than their God. The young people of Bridgend should get Budda by that reckoning.
Tony, Bristol, England
sorry, i'm just curious, but is it only a belief in christianity that will save these people? would any religous belief suffice?
or are 'god' and 'jesus' the only hope for japan?
james, london,
anyway, i doubt a lack of religous fervour is the cause, or a lack of belief per se; up to 95% of japanese believe in buddism or shintoism
james, london,
TKL, London, England Wrote:
"In 1995 31,284 suicides, in 2002 32,439 suicides, in 2005 32,637. No these are not the figures for Japan, these are the figues for the USA."
Meanwhile our population has increased by over 40 million, so the percentage has dropped. Way to eradicate your point.
William, Seattle, USA
Japan has a Disneyland - make it mandatory for employers to grant and pay for staff monthly trips to the Magic Kingdom... all expenses to be borne by the companies of course. Watch the suicide rate drop.
S K Lin, Hong Kong, China
there is something many are missing here. Long working hours and stress are not the only reason. Japanese have a different way of dealing with failure and shame: Harakiri, the old form of suicide. Japanese culture praise someone who pays with his/her life because of failing/ashaming others.
Mehrez Hirari, Tokyo, Japan
The lack of care and compassion in the world is the culprit. Pettiness and mean spirited natures have taken over .
I see it in our society everyday.
We need to end the separtism and see People as a wholeSPECIES. As a species we ALL need care, and acceptance no matter what tiny mistakes are made.
Lysa, Los Angeles,
What's the point of saying the Japanese don't need Christ? You find me someone who knows Jesus, reads the Bible and practices the fundamentals of Christianity, I will show you a truly happy person. The happy people who don't know Christ, are far and few between.
Michael, Portland, USA
Shouldn't the government make suicides more, hidden, and benign? Like in the movie soylent green. Death rooms that show pictures that are pleasant. The people take a pill, or maybe just get an overdose of morphine, and voila. They could keep the numbers hidden and the news out of it.
warren, seattle, usa
In todays tokyo yomiyuri paper the work related motives for suicide are , fatigue 30%, office relationships 23%, mistakes made at work 17%, changes in working conditions 12% and others 12%. A wife who was her husbands manager, said " I must have overburdened him" when asked about his suicide!!!
Peter, tokyo, japan
Yeah, God will save them all. Just look at all those Christian Africans. They're doing fine. Now we have the solution, thanks Christians!!!
Ben, Boston, United States
I agree with Rich: If adults want to commit suicide, so long as they don't kill others in the process, what business is it of anyone else's? Moreover, statistics for suicides never include all those people who deliberately end up killing themselves through abusing alcohol, drugs or eating disorders.
Anna, London, England
Another symptom of Mind Madness that rules our civilisation. Read 'The Power of Now' by Eckhart Tolle, a realised soul.
Chris, London,
To all the clever fact finders who have looked up the number of suicides recorded in the USA (so you can tell us all how bad it is there) you seem to have forgotten to also look up the population of the USA. Of course you could tell us Lithuania (Pop 3.3million) has no suicide problem whatsoever.
Ian, London,
Has anyone mentioned debt yet ?
Also not much in the way of social welfare, psychiatric help that entails a 3 minute consultation after a 2 hour wait resulting in a prescription for three drugs.
Expectations that exceed reality, Japan is ahead of the curve on consumerism and its results.
john, Tokyo, Japan
Overblown and "Western-centric." I was born in Japan, raised in the US and live happily in Japan as an adult now. People criticize a place they have never been with information that they read in some magazine. Japan has problems but it pales in comparison to the violence and inequality of the US.
M Murakami, Tokyo, Japan
Well well is it because of financial or lack of time off? Or is it because Japan had a water powered car "unveiled" to them they are waiting to buy while drooling?
Eric, Portland, usa
Myabe if we just send them Lindsay Lohan these horrible, sad suicides will stop.
No, wait. They'll increase if we do that.
Never mind.
Martin, Portland, USA
Picture this. You're 30 years old, living in a tiny house. So small, you share your bedroom with your spouse and kids. You take crowded train into crowded city everyday for work . You work from 8 am til 11pm 6 DAYS A WEEK . How long would you last if you knew you had 30 more years of this?
Dave Brent, Bristol, UK
I would love to speak to Japanese people about my experience of almost committing suicide to give them hope and possibly change their minds:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Z6v6jws--Vc
Sarah Yang, Berkeley, USA
Looking at data available at www.suicidology.org, suicides in the US appear to stay fairly flat over time around 32,000 per year, so I don't think that we Americans are really in a position to give advice...
Joe, Illinois, USA
Japan has a great attitude to religion. Jesus is as acceptable here as Buddha. The problem, people don't believe in their own worth and others are too reserved to tell them or help
BTW Japan has Jesus. He died and was buried here in a little village in Aomori-ken (look it up if you don't believe)
Amy, Joetsu, Japan
44, Canadian, in Japan for 19 years. I understand why many commit suicide. The bottom line.. these people can not find a meaning to keep living.
No flexible vacation time. Rigid education, roles to play, hierarchy. Mindless consumerism. Any community is ritualized to death. I can leave they can't.
Bryan , Fujino, Japan
On least religious countries ranking, Japan is 5th, UK 15th and US 45th. This part of the Japan Alps is used to educate US missionaries in Japanese language, culture, before posting to other areas. Like opening a butcher's shop in a vegetarian village; nobody wants the junk they're peddling.
Andrew Milner, Karuizawa, Japan
Let's face it - faith is a bandaid which frees us from facing complex social issues head on.
Japanese don't need christ, they need some serious re-structuring of social norms under the guidance of a benevolent team of pyschologists, social scientists, industrialists, journalists and politicians.
karen, perth, australia
Why is it that Japan gets the attention when Belarus, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland also have high rates of suicide?
http://www.who.int/mental_health/prevention/suicide/suiciderates/en/
Belarus is a predominantly Christian country, but they still have a lot of suicide.
Rick, Taichung, Taiwan
If working conditions are unacceptable, saying that the overworked only need to 'find Jesus' is not an answer. Japanese salarymen need change, not a mental and psychic opiate. Japanese industrialists should be shamed into being more humane and forgiving towards their employees.
James, Sunland, United States
As a Japanese Roman Catholic Christian I must say that my country is a Depressing, Godless Nation, devoid of any true faith or love. Most of what passes for love here is mere ersatz love which means sex and a joyless hollow sex at that.
Millions suffer here from deep depression and mental illness.
Hiroshi Ishikawa, Kobe, Japan
In Japan they have an unhypocritical attitude to suicide - if they feel they no longer want to live, they don't. In the West there are just as many men who have no hope and on reason to go on living, but they don't have the cultural background to give them the nerve to end their lives.
Liam, Stoke, UK
I work in a Japanese University. Everyone i work with do at least 12hrs a day, with lengthy commutes, 6 days a week.Noone can go until the top guys do and that means 9 or 10pm everynight. As a foreigner i get some priveleges but the Japanese are expected to work like drones and conform. terrible
Emily, Kyoto, Japan
I immigrated to the USA 21 years ago from Africa. I have been very successful and the USA is a great country in so many ways. However my wife and I have decided to move back in the summer of 2010.
Life in the USA is as stressful as it is boring. We both want a more social less hurried life.
Garba Maigoro, Kennesaw, USA
Culture of life after death & social depreciation of life. Subliminally glorifying & romantisizing death by media communications. A social disconnect & a reckless belief in "death is better than life". Religion for the dead.
"Yokoso Japan", a nation of economic animals crying out for help.
Ojisan, Seattle, USA
Wm. Hopper, Kingston, from Canada
writes that the US is monstrous for how it treated Japanese people in WW2. He reveals his ignorance of the real monsterous behaviour, and the real heroes. Perhaps the US should not have helped them rebuild their country after giving it back? I think WM is jealous.
Japes, Sydney, Australia
If folks want to kill themselves then let them. Why is this a problem that needs to be solved?
Rich, Scranton, US
As an American who's spent his whole career inJapan and also 7 months in the psychiatric ward of a Tokyo hospital,samurai codes etc have nothing to do with it. A workplace that drains life of anything meaningful does.For those who pooh-pooh the need for the spiritual I say best of luck w/your lives.
Frank Petrarch, Tokyo, Japan
In 1995 31,284 suicides, in 2002 32,439 suicides, in 2005 32,637. No these are not the figures for Japan, these are the figues for the USA. Perhaps they need Jesus over in America??
TKL, London, England
Suicide in japan goes back a long way in their tradition and culture. In Japan it is considered "honorable" in some cases. Suicide is however not honorable or just. Life is precious and has to be fought for, and defended, a culture has to learn to respect life, not death...
Robert Tilford , McCracken,, USA, Kansas
Larzen, Midwest, USA, asks why don't we in the West don't help these people to emigrate from Japan to our shores? The answer is we did... two generations ago when their homes, land, jobs, and lives were taken from them by the USA and they were summarily imprisoned in concentration camps.
Wm. Hopper, Kingston, Canada
USA, Wake up, Kiazen is the fault to all of this!
There will never be a perfect work place as you can see with the problems they are having in Japan. We need more R&R!
Shake And Bake!
RickyBobby, Dallas, USA
Too much pressure on the avarege worker anywhere, controlled rigid customs, lack of freedom to express yourself, too much work and over times, lot of stress kills you. Japanese people need to learn how to relex, take more vacation time, spend more time in the onsen, work less.
Zoltan, Santa Cruz, USA
It used to be that Japanese killed themselves for honour rather than because they were depressed. Suicide was sometimes the one thing you had to do rather than be considered a coward for the rest of your life. Now it's an alternative to drinking or taking drugs in order to cope with stress.
Jennifer, Sydney, Australia
As a former long time resident of Japan I have to say that it is no suprise to see a surge of suicides. Behind the rice paper thin veil of calm and decency lies a horrific and horridly nasty hidden nightmare that is the true Japanese culture.
Kenji Ota, Hokkaido, Japan
It really appalls me to see people use an crisis such as this to further their own religious agenda.
The last time I checked, there are Christians committing suicide all across the Western World, and no amount of bible thumping with bring about any solution.
The people of Japan do not need Jesus.
Steven WIlliam, Vancouver, Canada
Yes, exactly! Jesus is the answer to all of Japan's problems!
Japan's centuries-old relationship with suicide, which played a major role in their rigid hierarchical feudal system, can be erased by quoting the New Testament.
I just wanted to put that into words so everyone sees how stupid that is.
Elliott Owen, Los Angeles, United States
Also, it seems that the younger generation in Japan are obsessed with their image. Like Professor Ikeda said "Society does not accept minor mistakes." A minor mistake may get you branded by so many people and it can last a very long time. Something that can lead to depression & possibly suicide.
Jason, Hawaii, USA
Actually, the undercurrent of the story is that thos commiting suicide is preciesley those who rely on themselves and their neighbors --- these are "young professionals in their thirties", that is, these people committing suicide are the very ones committed to your advice - they need something more.
John, Tulsa, USA
I agree. I was in a horrible deep pit of depression for over two years. I saw an ad in a magazine I was flipping through listlessly one day, and it caught my attention. "Are you lonely? In despair? Sad or frustrated?" Prozac? No - a book called "Power for Living." Get God, and get happy! It works.
Maria, Medford, USA
After ranting on several posts, all I have to say is the next time some of you people feel the need to say "Japanese people needs Jesus," etc., move to Tokyo, live and work there as a white collar worker for 10 years, make a small mistake, and get back to me when your 10 years is up.
Jason, Hawaii, USA
What was it about this article that brought all the bible bashers out of the woodwork? I don't recall seeing god or religion mentioned in it at all!
Mark, Katoomba, Australia
What they need is an end to the US occupation that continues to suffocate their true expression and drives them to explore ever more stranger often western deviances. Essentially they are a martial race and stuffing them into suits and ties has been the final straw. The old Samurai can yet be saved!
Richard, Leicester, UK
You, that ridicule God, are of the hopeless, yourselves.
But, I ask this question: Why don't we in the West, help
these people to emigrate from Japan to our shores? After
all, the Japanese value education and hard work. They
wouldn't burden our economy by looking for hand-outs,
as others here do
Larzen, Midwest, USA
No one has mentioned Japan's long history with suicide. Lets not forget hari-kari, ritual suicide. Maybe certain races could be more predisposed to depression and suicide, just like some races are more inclined to other illnesses like sickle cell etc. Then again, they might just need some Jesus juice
joeg, Portland, or, usa
Suicide is the resort to where someone goes when they feel they can't cope with their lives. Japan is not the only country where people commit suicide. It is for most part a tradegy that befalls their families and the immediate surroundings. It should be treated as such; a tragedy of human life.
B.R. Waldner, Athens, Greece
There is only one thing that can fill the void in a human life, whether Japanese, American, or a tribesman living in the Rainforest - the love of Jesus Christ. Man can strive for riches, fame, power, but in the end the void remains. Jesus fills our lives with purpose and hope for eternity.
ellen, bakersfield, usa
Perfectionism and a need to eliminate the personal and subsume all to government and commerce. What's your number? Your color? Who do your serve? Forget it... Let people live their lives in peace; stay out of their business and private affairs. Don't turn a soul into a knife for seppuku or revenge.
Elan Durham, Santa Monica, CA/US
Jesus, Have Mercy On Japan!
Paul F Wilson, Peoria IL,
I am a Christian and astonished at the lack of kindness in letters from people stating that Japan is being punished for Godlessness. Judge not lest ye be judged. These poor people need our prayers and sympathy not your unfeeling judgement on them. God knows their hearts you don't!
Kate, Victoria BC, Canada
I don't want to hear anything from any more American's. At least not when this article discusses "work-related depression" and says that the angry young people criticize the society as "rigid" and have trouble with the established "hierarchy". ...If you live in a glass house, DON'T THROW STONES.
Garrett, Chicago, US
Look at all us Americans, telling a British paper that Japan needs Jesus.
We've got all the answers, don't we.
Will, Washington, USA
I can't believe all the people blaming their "godlessness" as the reason. LOL!!! Yes, maybe if they pray harder to the magic man sitting on a cloud they'd be happier....I'll just stop now b/c this is ridiculous lol
Rob, Sudbury,
In reply to Robert, if God is all good, and all powerful, why didn't he help them before they got into such a wretched state?
Marc Newall, Milton Keynes, England
Having lived in Japan for most of my life, I can say that Robert in Woodstock has hit the nail on the head: outside of Jesus, there is no objective hope for the Japanese or anyone else. Given what the Japanese are taught to believe, suicide makes a lot of sense.
Christopher Witmer, Tokyo, Japan
Ugh. "Jesus". Look - if people would stop relying on some fairy tale, and start relying on themselves and their neighbours, we'd all be better off.
Owen Finn, Winterhinderlandton, Wales
Professor Ikeda's comment: We live in an uncomfortable and restrictive society where trivial matters are important, is the smoking gun here. I'm not suggesting that they need Oprah, but certainly some open dialogue regarding the human condition is in order.
Andrew C., Atlanta, USA
Jesus said in John 10:10 - "The thief [devil] comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I [Jesus] came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." The people of Japan need to put their faith (lives) into the hands of God's Son, Jesus!
Robert, Woodstock, USA/AG
As a longtime former resident of Japan, it's no secret that issues such as the high suicide rate are often ignored by psychologists, police and the government and now it's an epidemic. I believe it's time for Japan to seek outside help in dealing with this epidemic before it's too late.
Jason, Hawaii, USA
Ironically the same Drudge Report page had a link to a story about how Sega is building a "kissing robot" for lonely Japaneese men. The problem here is A) a lack of appreciation for a power higher than themselves or the almighty Yen and B) a lack of social interaction that makes life worthwhile.
Austin , Alexandria, USA
Mind you, I'm not some nut who is anti-psychology and that sort of thing, BUT one has to wonder if the very sudden widespread use of psychopharmaceuticals has contributed to the problem. See the documentary "Does you soul have a cold?" about depression in Japan.
Amy, Tucson, USA
This is a symptom of a society driven by super- acheivement coupled with materialism and most importantly G-dlessness. After years of being driven with no relationship with the Eternal, one begins to wonder wat the purpose of living is.
Moriah, Sacramentoe, USA
No, it is also about an epidemic. The suicides happen, there is more and more news coverage, perhaps sensationalized, the social norms against using suicide to escape the pain is torn away for more people and the beat goes on. This happened to teens in my USA town. Tragic!
Barbara, Dallas, USA
Perhaps Japanese business could benefit from a defined eCulture called "The Business-Technology Weave" that helps to influence employee behaviour and morale. This is particularly relevant: http://www.businessforum.com/DScott_02.html . Some good stuff here too: www.david-scott.net .
John Franks, Alexandria, VA, USA
Japanese authorities should know that hydrogen sulfide is a very strong anesthetic and people can be recovered from it even though they may appear to be quite dead. The need a good dose of oxygen under pressure, some chest thumping and maybe a shock or two and bingo!
Adrian Vance, Lakeport, USA
Yes I guess this would be a crisis of despair. Whatever this "malaise that the country has ignored for too long" is something in Japan needs changing. Having never been there I could not even guess. But may God be with them all.
RobertG, Arizona, USA
One of my friends was a Christian missionary from Korea to Japan for twelve years. He told me long ago that Japan is a country looking for a soul. In the post-WWII dissillusionment against all the old mores and beliefs (such as Shintoism), the young set grew up without a common ethos. Sad.
Yuri, Ponce, Puerto Rico
It can't all be about the "collective".
Kevin Jancovic, Bethesda, USA