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  Disillusioned at 11:33 AM JST - 12th February

  The lengths people will go to for attention. I wonder if Japan will ever wake up and start seriously addressing the issue of suicide. Although, for every persong the kills themselves it's one less pension they have to find.

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  Betzee at 12:00 PM JST - 12th February

  This sounds like the plot of the film Suicide Club (自殺サークル), one of the more bizarre movies I've ever seen.

  Although, for every persong the kills themselves it's one less pension they have to find.

  It may be one less worker to pay into the system from which pensioners are drawing.

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  Kameleon at 03:44 PM JST - 12th February

  I'm gonna top meself!

  Disclaimer: I will not be held responsible for you being so persuaded to follow suit in above message.

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  dreamdrifter at 08:27 PM JST - 12th February

  I wonder if Japan will ever wake up and start seriously addressing the issue of suicide.

  Agreed. The authorities don't seem to be able to think beyond simply putting up posters preaching to people that their lives are precious.

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  glycol57 at 11:32 PM JST - 12th February

  In the States, an annoying number of suicidal people try to kill as many others as possible in the process, to add "significance" to their deaths. The news media, by its nature, assists them in this quest - thus reinforcing the behavior. "Copycat" suicide/massacres have become almost common and each one seems to receive days, weeks, months, even years of media attention.

  My question is, has the Japanese mass media also become an integral part of the suicide problem ? The more such incidents make the news, the more attention and sympathy lavished upon the dead, perhaps it makes suicide seem more 'significant' or 'romantic' ??? How many recent suicides would have never happened if that person had not heard of others doing the same thing and/or recieving a sort of fame and sympathy in the process ?

  Perhaps there ARE instances where "no news is good news". Chains or clusters of suicides suggest a "meme" at work and memes require a medium of transmission ... newsmedia or social networks.

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  Betzee at 12:12 AM JST - 13th February

  My question is, has the Japanese mass media also become an integral part of the suicide problem ? The more such incidents make the news, the more attention and sympathy lavished upon the dead, perhaps it makes suicide seem more 'significant' or 'romantic' ??? How many recent suicides would have never happened if that person had not heard of others doing the same thing and/or recieving a sort of fame and sympathy in the process ?

  The copycat problem is always present for those seeking attention or wishing to go out in a blaze of glory. The problem with censorship becomes, "Are we doing it to protect others who might choose the same path or to protect ourselves and our society from a PR black-eye?" (The same argument has erupted every time someone jumps off the Golden Gate Bridge. Some of those who choose to do so have come from afar, suggesting they heard about it through other incidents.)

  Some of these sad souls, however, may receive enough attention by publicizing their intentions that they don't follow through, a number that is not tallied.

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  Raymasaki at 12:24 AM JST - 13th February

  I just dont understand suicide at all Jisatsu as its called in Japanese is a social problem & More should be done to prevent it. But Japan has a bad reputation for suicide But actually several other countries have a Higher rate of suicide including Russia & Hungary. look it up online if you want to see for yourself.

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  bushlover at 02:09 AM JST - 13th February

  If someone in Japan would only invent the suicide booth like in Futurama we wouldn't have these online messages maybe. Of course these booths would have to have the proper warning labels. "Warning: Use this booth only if you are serious. There are no returns.". The inventor could make a killing. Oops. pardon the pun.

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  seggahme at 05:04 AM JST - 13th February

  so in Japan to commit suicide and announce about it, you must be behind 7 proxies

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  AlfGarnett at 05:17 AM JST - 13th February

  I think the amount of suicides in Japan is tragic, a national scandal.

  The government should make steps to try to get the numbers down.

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