Quote:
Originally Posted by MMM
Please understand you are looking at suicide and what it means through Western eyes, not Japanese eyes.
Suicide has been a part of Japanese society for a very long time, and people don't always do it only because of what you might consider extreme depression.
There are many famous stories of samurai committing suicide when their master/leader is killed. Suicide as means of keeping one's honor is a well-documented cultural phenomenon, and in some ways escaping death can be considered dishonorable.
Of course in modern times it is very hard on the families, and rarely is a death publicly declared a suicide, but is called an "accident".
There is a lot more to this, and I have only scratched the surface, but I just want you to be careful when you associate Japan's high suicide rate = very depressed or lonely people.
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Thanks for pointing that out! Your right in saying to be careful in equating "Japan's high suicide rate = very depressed or lonely people"
However, suicide could be considered noble, for example, sacrifice your life to save another. Or in your example for honor.
So I think it would be better to say Japan's high suicide rate is more equated to their concept of their purpose of life. South Korea is ranked #2 and Kazakhstan #4 in suicide rates, and their concepts are different from Japan.
I want to go on the record saying that I think life is very important, because after you die that may be it. Regardless of your beliefs or ideals death is the great leveler of the playing field.
Life is important
That's why it disturbs me that a great nation with so many great impacts has such a high suicide rate.
Don't get me wrong I love the culture. But if some aspects that I love about the culture is the cause of such a loss of life, I feel it encroaching on my much more valuable love: The love for the human life.