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Is Pokemon Go helping prevent deaths at one of Japan’s most notorious suicide spots?

10 Comments
By Oona McGee, RocketNews24

While local and international media outlets have been quick to warn us of the dangers, deaths and accidents related to the Pokemon Go mobile gaming phenomenon, for one area in Japan, the game is said to be having a positive effect. According to a report on Fuji Television’s morning program "Mezamashi Terebi," Fukui Prefecture’s Tojinbo, one of the country’s most notorious suicide spots, has seen a decrease in suicides, and people are speculating that it might be linked to the arrival of Pokémon Go, as the previously lonely and desolate environment has now become a busy spot for families and groups, who gather in the area both day and night to play the augmented reality game.

The reason for the area’s popularity with gamers is the fact that it’s one of the few Pokestops in the region, drawing crowds from afar who come in search of catching some rare Pokemon.

One of the local residents, retired police officer, Yukio Shige, is well-known for patrolling the area with a team of individuals dedicated to preventing suicides by talking to people who look like they’ve come to the cliffs to take their own lives. According to Shige, their initiative has helped to prevent more than 500 suicides in 11 years.

The report showed Shige commenting on the change in the area, saying that with so many Pokemon trainers now in the vicinity, people who come to the cliffs with thoughts of suicide would now be able to see other people around them, giving them a chance to rethink their actions and hopefully realise that ending it is not the way to go.

However, it’s not clear exactly how large of an impact Pokemon Go has actually had. J-Cast News, a popular news site, pointed out that local emergency services, cities, and other organizations have been working to prevent suicides for years — and, in fact, a report in 2015 indicated that 2014 saw a five-year low in incidents. J-Cast News further found that suicides had been on a downward trend for some time. When asked about the impact Pokemon Go had, the local police department replied that while it was certainly true that there were players in the area day and night, they couldn’t confirm one way or another if it had an impact on preventing suicides.

If you or someone you know is in Japan and having suicidal thoughts, there are people here to help. Click here for more info.

Source: Hamusoku, J-Cast News

Read more stories from RocketNews24. -- Retired Japanese man who saved over 500 from suicide to become star of worldwide documentary -- Two men die in apparently separate suicides after jumping in front of the same train -- Unexpected Japan suicide facts are equal parts depressing and uplifting

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10 Comments
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Hey, it's rather nice to see something positive written about Pokemon. If it brings people out and it helped to stop even one suicide then it doesnt matter what the reason is in my opinion.

It's probably easier for people to want to attempt suicide when no one is looking, particularly here, so more power to Pokemon here!

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Agree with Yubaru. While I don't care much force the game itself, the whining is getting to be a bit much. If it is SAVING lives, fantastic!

3 ( +6 / -3 )

It's a blessing!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Fukui Prefecture’s Tojinbo, one of the country’s most notorious suicide spots, has seen a decrease in suicides, and people are speculating that it might be linked to the arrival of Pokémon Go, as the previously lonely and desolate environment has now become a busy spot for families and groups, who gather in the area both day and night to play the augmented reality game.

Tojinbo has been a famous tourist spot for more than 100 years. It is famous for the panoramic view of the Sea of Japan from high cliffs. Most of the people in near by prefectures have had a couple of trips to the place.

http://www.jalan.net/kankou/spt_18361ab2050006586/?screenId=OUW3701

I do not think Pokemon Go was around 100 years ago.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

So what - that just means they go and top themselves somewhere else.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

I do not think Pokemon Go was around 100 years ago.

But evidently there haven't been enough tourists around to possibly stop people from jumping.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

YubaruSEP. 09, 2016 - 01:47PM JST

But evidently there haven't been enough tourists around to possibly stop people from jumping.

When I went there a few years ago, I was on a sightseeing bus with about 30 other tourists. There were many buses in the parking lot near the spot.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

If you spend all your time with your face in your smartphone, sooner or later a serious, or fatal accident awaits, so their constant use might just as well be described as unintentional suicide.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

I would think Pokemon Go would cause more death there as they will be paying attention to their phones rather than the surrounding. Or, the accidental death number surpasses the suicide number ?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

CliffySEP. 09, 2016 - 10:02PM JST I would think Pokemon Go would cause more death there as they will be paying attention to their phones rather than the surrounding. Or, the accidental death number surpasses the suicide number ?

I think that's a bit of a stretch. The vast majority of people playing this game surely aren't idiots.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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