Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnBraden
Isn't it true that Japanese as a whole view death in a different way than those in the West have been taught? I believe that Catholics are taught that if you commit suicide, you won't go to Heaven, yet in feudal Japan, ritual suicide was an honorable thing. I may be accused of generalizing or overly simplifying things, but I wonder if our views and their views of suicide aren't based on different ideologies.
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Correct the Japanese do have a different view of death and suicide. The problem is the sheer number of people killing themselves per year. At this point its almost an epidemic of massive proportions. The problem is not just the extreme amount of pressure student are under there are many other factors. Mental health treatment is high looked down upon in Japanese society. There are millions of people that suffer from chronic depression. In most western countries one would get help from a therapist and/or get on medication to even themselves out and live fruitful lives. This is not the case in Japan many people do not seek treatment because of the social stigma and eventually end up killing themselves. So add a tremendous amount of pressure to do well in school, Then add in that you cant find a job after the hell you went through just to graduate One might start to feeling depressed and as time goes on it gets worse and worse you have potent scenario for suicide. Also, kids in Japan kill themselves over bullying as well as oppose in the US where the bullied takes out the whole school.
Religion does not play a part as Japan does not have national religion. Regardless i find a lot of it sad that people feel there is no other choice but to take ones own life when things get hard.