Writing a paper on the high suicide rate in Japan...

[s0dapuff]

...and, well, I thought this would be a good place to look for information. One of my required sources is an interview, and, well, I don't really know too many Japanese people
Is there anyone here who would be willing to have an e-mail interview with me concerning the high suicide rate in Japan? If you could offer any insight about the topic and answer a few questions that would be excellent.
PM me to ask me for my e-mail address. Thanks ^_^

 

[harrisonsan]

I can't give you the interview because I'm not japanese, however, it is definitely linked to the low sex amongst Japanese as well as the pressures by family and the world to succeed in the competitive Japanese society.

Also their religious views on suicide aren't as strict as western views (christianity sends people who commit suicide straight to hell).

 

[JTM]

I can't give you the interview because I'm not japanese, however, it is definitely linked to the low sex amongst Japanese ...

Wha-huh? Low sex? Come on..the Japanese have a much more freer outlook on sex than the US and perhaps even Europe. Teens experiment with sex as much as their American/European counterparts and perhaps even more so. Also look at all the sex and eroticism in Japan -- Love Hotels, Maid Cafes, Lolita Telephone Clubs, Fetish AVs, Hentai Manga and Anime, Dating PC Games, Sex Dolls, Sailor Uniform Fetishes, S&M Clubs etc.

I think you are right when you say that societal pressures (work, school) may cause some to commit ﾅｽﾂｩﾅｽE (jisatsu) but among young people it's also peer pressure and bullying (窶堋｢窶堋ｶ窶堙? that account for a lot of cases. There still really isn't very many resources that teens and adults in trouble can turn to. While Japan has made some grounds in making it more easier and convenient to consult with Social Workers and Psychologists, there is still the general stigma among Japanese that getting professional help is a sign of personal weakness and shame. In a society where people are told to show 窶ｰﾃ､窶督 (gaman - perseverance) in the face of all adversity, it is hard to confide in friends and family.

There's also some apathy as well where some Japanese don't see the point in any future goals. Suicide isn't as taboo as it is in the West and in some cases is looked at as an honorable way to go especially if one has shamed employers, family or oneself (窶冪窶堙ｰ窶堋ｩ窶堋ｭ - Haji o Kaku).

Most ﾅｽﾂｩﾅｽE aren't quite as ritualistic as ﾂ静倪?｢ﾂ? (Seppuku AKA Harikiri) and usually involves either hangings (or CO2 gas poisonings). In the past there have been mass suicide packs among people who meet online who either collectively hang themselves or take in poisoning (this may have inspired movies like "Suicide Circle"). Even some high profile entertainers have committed suicide due to broken romances or just career setbacks (Okada Yukiko and Hide from X-Japan come most to mind).

It's a continual problem in Japan but unfortunately not an easy one for them to deal with.