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Originally Posted by Kelvindegrez
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.
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My feeling is that Japanese culture treats life and death a little differently than we do in the West. This isn't just about suicide, but death in general. The funeral rituals are very good at bringing closure to a person's life in the minds of his family and friends. I recommend you look into it.
And to be honest, I don't think most Japanese really believe in much of an afterlife, so it isn't like they are killing themselves to go to a "better place".