23-year-old police officer dies after shooting himself in head in koban in Ibaraki
IBARAKI —
A 23-year-old police officer died after shooting himself while on duty in a koban in Yuki, Ibaraki Prefecture, police said Monday.
According to police, the officer was found in the toilet at the koban at around 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Fuji TV reported. He was bleeding from a bullet wound to the head and his pistol was lying at his feet. He was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Police said there was no note to indicate why the officer might have committed suicide.
Japan Today
Order by Time Order by Popularity
21 Comments
Login to comment
1
smodgy
I am sensing there are some problems within the police departments across Japan as this has happened several times recently. Bullying comes to mind. I see the sempai kohai bullying all the time in the work place.
0
clueless
If I were into conspiracy theories I would say that there is something fishy with all these apparent cop suicides.
-3
Strangerland
You must be into conspiracy theories then, because you did just say that.
2
Magnus Roe
It is very peculiar though, and always in the toilets. Makes you very happy gun ownership isn't universal here though
4
Michael Craig
Again!?
3
MyJT2014
Why there are so many suicides in Japan? I think the government needs to address this issue. This is a national disgrace and must be address urgently.
9
Fuben
That's easy: many people are miserable. Japan is not a society fostering or promoting any values that to most people are essential happiness, individuality, good work-life balance, etc.)
-1
Strangerland
The government has been, and is addressing this issue. They put out a white paper every year, and it appears something may be working insofar as the suicide rate has been dropping each year since 2012 (http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/06/03/national/suicides-down-fourth-straight-year).
This is an overly simplistic explanation. And it's not entirely correct either - Japan as a society does promote many values to most people that are essential for happiness. It fails in some regards - the ones you mentioned - but your claim that it does not promote any values that are essential for happiness is incorrect.
2
Monozuki
Um, not another one.
7
sighclops
@MyJT2014
This is a valid question. Having lived here a long time, and fought with my own demons, the biggest issue is that Japanese see depression & other mental health issues as a sign of weakness. A weakness of character which one must gaman because the everyday stresses in Japanese society (of which there are a never-ending list of) are simply shoganai.
Until this mindset has been completely removed, things will never change. It will take generations, like every other serious problem in Japanese society.
4
smithinjapan
There are far too many instances like this in Japan.
-3
No Ginger
I was drunk and don't remember any....
-2
bongoboy
The first step would be to make suicide illegal, like it is in the US. Most Japanese are law-abiding so this could save lives.
2
patty cake champion
All the while some displays of lunacy are highly desirable, ala Japanese television
0
Brian Wheway
Guns just don't go off, especially when they are in there holsters, my son who is a bit of a geek when it comes to guns, says that there is no way a modern gun will go off, even if it drops out of his pocket/holster, with a modern gun your finger has to pull the trigger for it to fire, the only one that might is a remington 1911 which is not all that good because the safety lock is not that good. can any one tell me what type of gun is issued to the J cops?
1
Mar044
Rip, many don't understand mental illness. Hope he found peace.
-2
SenseNotSoCommon
Ban life insurance payouts for suicides.
1
kurisupisu
And no investigation?
2
AustPaul
@ Bongoboy - do you think making it illegal will stop people?? It was decriminalised in Australia many years ago, I'd say many other countries wouldn't classify it as an offence.
@Brian - fair to say it was by his own hand. Don't think there is any evidence based on the article of foul play and yes, most modern firearms don't just 'go off' unless the trigger is pulled.
I do agree with others that the country needs to address this as a matter of urgency, it seems to happen far too often.
RIP, hope his family is supported
0
Kaishu
Making it illegal is somewhat an over simplification. There are many complex issues as to why people commit suicide and people who are suicidal and have mental health problems don't really think about the legality of it.
As sighclops stated
Also having gone through a horrible divorce with two young children, this shoganai and ganbatte attitude really must change.
0
Brian Wheway
if your going to top your self, making it illegal seems pretty pointless and will they be bothered if they are very depressed anyway?
Back to top