[Kelvindegrez]

"The National Police Agency announced last month that 32,845 people took their own lives in 2009, a rise of 596 from the previous year. This marks the 12th consecutive year in which the number of suicides has topped 30,000 — a sad persistent trend in Japan." (TheJapanTimesOnline)

What!? That's crazy!

I noticed that a lot of the threads here are dedicated to the culture of Japan, with a whole section dedicated to entertainment.

But what about the people....

As someone who dealt with suicide in the past, it troubles me deeply that Japan is ranked 5th (according to wiki) in the world for suicide rates.

I understand the mindset of suicide from experience.

I understand that there needs to be a reasonable purpose in one's life in order for one to continue living. And by reasonable I mean something that is realistic and brings joy. Not everyone can be the "best". In a world full of doctors everyone would treat themselves!

I feel like this suicide rate is a honest cry of people who live with real suffering in one of the most industrialized nations on earth.

Here is what happens:
1. Purpose is established
2. Purpose is unfulfilled or unattainable or unsatisfied
3. Suffering incurs. Physically and/or Mentally
4. Suicide is the release from the suffering.

Any comments?
What do you think about this issue?