I watched your programme on Japanese cyber suicide on Tuesday, the 7th of December. I thought you described the issue very well and made many valid points. I would like to give feedback on the programme.
I would like to make three points.
First, your introduction stated that Japanese society looks tolerantly on suicide and that suicide is regarded as honourable, referring to Harakiri and Kamikaze. I have realised that many people from other society have this idea. However, this is a misconception of other cultures. Suicide has a social stigma attached to it. It is seen as shameful and letting down the family in Japan. It was hundreds of years ago that Harakiri was honourable for the Samurais, as it was shameful for their lives to be taken by somebody else. Kamikaze, which has a different meaning from Harakiri, represents the notion of collectivism that you sacrifice your life for the group you belong to, which was the nation at the time. However, these ideas do not apply to the modern world. The author of the suicide manual was presenting a quite unique view on suicide and it is not a general notion of Japanese society.
Second, group suicide would be related to the collectivistic nature of Japanese culture. The Japanese have a different sense of self from that of the West, and the importance of meeting group needs does not foster strong individuality in Japan. The westernisation of Japanese society is superficial. The tradition still remains and the Japanese do not have strong individuality on a deeper level. Achieving some individuality and deviation from the group can cause them to be bullied by others and they can end up feeling traumatised. Loss of control due to the recent economic recession, and changes in the social structure and in education have caused a sense of insecurity and unsettling feelings. This has given the Japanese feelings of being lost and can push people to suicide in extreme cases. Parents and teachers have lost authority and it has affected young people as well. It is not only fear but weak individuality that motivates people to commit suicide in a group, reflecting the group oriented society. The group is a safe place for the Japanese to operate. In fact, family suicide does happen sometimes in Japan. The person wanting to commit suicide might take the spouse, sometimes by agreement, with them and occasionally the children as well.
Third, the TV presenter was pleading with a person who wanted to kill himself to seek help and not to kill himself. However, it is not so easy to seek professional emotional help in Japan. Unfortunately, counselling and psychotherapy are not understood properly and the services are not widely available. When they have emotional and mental health issues, the Japanese go to a psychiatrist rather than a counsellor or a psychotherapist. However, the stigma attached to psychiatry prevents people from going to seek help.
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