Figures recently released show that suicides in Japan rose to a record high of 32,109 in 2003. Resulting in a number over 30,000 for the sixth straight year.
Unsurprisingly Japan’s economic woes have borne the brunt of the blame, with more than a quarter of the cases in 2003 being linked to financial issues. But a couple of statistics appear to paint a decidedly bleak picture in regards to employment itself, as opposed to unemployment.
Broken down into days, Mondays had by far the highest number of suicides, whilst at the opposite end of the scale Saturdays had the least.
I think that speaks volumes, don’t you?
Nacente says
I heard that, too much work hours out there.
Minime says
That number higher than murders is it? I think that’s pretty surprising if so.
I wonder if that’s true about the US or European nations.
Nacente says
Mm what do you mean? Here people don’t suicide for work.
Lee says
I don’t have any figures Minime, but I’d say that not only are there more suicides than murders, but MANY more.
Jason says
Living in Japan for so long, why do you think these numbers are so high Lee? Is this the price Japan pays for having such a strict sense of conformity? I was in Japan for a mere summer and I noticed it. Surely a trend like this is cultural. (there are hundreds of societies with far worse “economies†than Japan’s with far lower suicide rates. What do you think?
Jason says
(sidenote: is there a lack of a real social/financial blanket in Japan?)
Nacente says
It’s obvious that is the stress imposed by companies, schools,….
Jason says
but what kind of stress? isn’t there stress like this all over the world? in places without similiar suicide rates?
Nacente says
No, in places like Europe, we don’t work on Sundays and School doesn’t open in Saturday. And the limit of hours of work per week is 35 or 40 depending on the country.
Jason says
so because people in japan work on sundays (which to my knowledge isnt very common) and theres no school on saturdays thier suicide rate is three to four times higher than other industrial societies?
It’s more dynamic than that. and I would say that the amount of stress a workplace produces is pretty relative. Surely there are workplaces in japan that aren’t very stressful just as there are stressful ones elsewhere.
Lee says
Yeah, you’ve got some good points there Jason.
Whether there is more stress in the Japanese work place is hard to say, as obviously it depends on numerous factors such as job, position, etc. But whilst I can only compare the situation to my native Britain, the Japanese work ethic does add a certain amount of stress.
Work is seen as much more important, and as such brings added pressure. Overtime (often unpaid) seems to be still an accepted part of many jobs, and the strict hierarchical system only adds to the problem. But I think generally work just means so much more to many Japanese. But there again there’s a big difference between taking your job seriously and taking your life because of it.
Perhaps the concept of saving face also has something to do with it. Suicide has long been a part of Japanese culture (look how famous the story of the 47 ronin is, men who when all is said and done were looking out for their boss), and maybe it is still more honourable to some people than the shame of failing or being made redundant. Or if it’s not honourable, it is almost accepted. The Chuo line near me in Tokyo is well known as a suicide spot, yet when the train is stopped due to a jumper (which isn’t exactly uncommon) it generates little interest. Apart from irritation at being delayed that is.
One incident that always sticks in my mind though is one that happened a few years ago involving the principal of a school in Tokyo. There was (and still is) a lot of controversy over whether the national anthem should be played (and sung) at major school events. Anyway, due to the problems this caused and the potential for embarrassment, the poor man decided that the only option was for him to kill himself. A terrible waste over an incident that whilst important on numerous issues, is certainly not that important.
This really shocked me at the time. And in fact it still does. Perhaps even more so now as I actually work in a school. But as much as it shocked me it hasn’t helped my understanding any. It’s a mindset that in many ways I find unfathomable. I might be able to hazard a few amateur guesses like those above, but I think no matter how long I remain here, some things will remain a mystery.
Yuri says
i don’t know if any of you have ever seen it, but there is a fairly pertainant and poignant film on this subject called Suicide Club. If you haven’t already you should try to see it, although it is subtitled. It’s morbid but funny, if you can get past all the blood.
nyanko says
Suicide is seen as being the honorable way out of a bad situation, and many men buy suicide insurance so after his death he can be assured that his family will be okay (being a single mother in japan still has some stigma so very little bit counts), I agree that the numbers are staggering but given whats been happening with the economy and the loss of job security, as well as major social change life can be pretty grim for some and since suicide isn’t seen as sinful (neither of the 2 religions have anything against taking ones own life) people opt to take the “easy” way out. I just feel sorry for JR having to clean up dead bodies on the tracks so often.
Deathangelgal says
I beleive that the japanese suicide rate is soo high because of all the stress!!!
4 goodness sake sooo much pressure during school.
I would crack!!!!!
I read on a website that a lot of ppl also commit suicide because of bringing shame to the family name….. But im not sure.