Suicide rate in Japan -- Purpose in life

[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?

[Brass]

A lot of people in Japan are lonely. Also Japanese society places very high expectations on you, especially if you're male.

[Kelvindegrez]

Originally Posted by Brass

A lot of people in Japan are lonely. Also Japanese society places very high expectations on you, especially if you're male.

Being lonely is something I can painfully relate to. High expectations weren't necessarily placed on me from the outside, but the were placed on the inside and I didn't live up.

My thoughts are that it isn't the loneliness or the expectations that are the real issue. I think that the real issue is purpose and meaning in life.

Those are my thoughts, I know the symtoms and the causes, but what do you think is the treatment? (contextually for the Japanese)

[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.

[RealJames]

Originally Posted by MMM

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".

If I had a dime for every time my train was late because there was an "accident" on the tracks...

PS: I'll come back to this post to share my thoughts of how suicide is viewed in Japan after I confirm with my gf that I'm not completely wrong ^^;

[bELyVIS]

All the Japanese suicide letters that were translated to me sounded like a way to get back at someone for a wrong or extreme shame like flunking out of school or something.
I think we Westerners would get back at the other person first before we killed our self and as far as flunking out of school, our population in America would really drop if those kids killed themselves. Most of us here in America only think about depression in suicide.

[Kelvindegrez]

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.

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.

[Kelvindegrez]

Originally Posted by bELyVIS

All the Japanese suicide letters that were translated to me sounded like a way to get back at someone for a wrong or extreme shame like flunking out of school or something.
I think we Westerners would get back at the other person first before we killed our self and as far as flunking out of school, our population in America would really drop if those kids killed themselves. Most of us here in America only think about depression in suicide.

There where many reason's why I wanted to commit suicide, here is main:
1. I didn't live up to my standards (because of self)
2. I didn't want to burden my family (because of others)
3. I wanted to get back at family (hurt they caused me)
all of these things were a way to fight back inward, not outward. It was one of the only things I had control over in that aspect.

Also I read of a suicide of an elderly couple that were completely happy but suffered too much physical pain.

One aspect of life I value is relationships, from my knowledge it seems relationships are really really important there. I find that attractive.

However if their is no life, their are no relationships...

[MMM]

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.

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".

[Kelvindegrez]

Originally Posted by MMM

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".

That's pretty deep man "This isn't just about suicide, but death in general."
I like how you see a bigger picture when it comes to the issue.

I remember when I almost did it (i'm still alive of course ) I didn't believe in a better place. From my study of the impact that Buddhism has made on the east I'm more familiar with the rituals for closure, but i'll be sure to look into it more.

I see that beliefs really do have consequences. But regardless, life is important. That's why I've been wondering what are not only the real causes of Japan's high suicide rate, but what is the best way to solve it?

Thanks alot I'm gaining a little more understanding into this.