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How many?
Last year 25,000 people took their lives in Japan. That works out to be around 70 people per day. Despite these shocking numbers though, they do not hold the title of highest suicide rate in a developed nation. That title belongs to South Korea. Though Japan does not have the highest rate, they still have a suicide rate that is drastically higher than most other wealthy countries. -
Who?
Despite what many people may think, it is not just old people with financial issues who are killing themselves. Suicide is the biggest killer of Japanese people aged 20-44. Apparently these people have lost all hope and are unable to seek further help. 40% of young Japansese people are unable to find a stable job. This leads experts to believe that the suicide is linked to precautious employment. -
Why?
Japan has a strict no complaining culture. Kids in Japan are tusght to bottle their feelings up as they age. They are basically growing up sheltered in a box. When they do get older they do not feel good about themselves and they feel as if they cannot all about it. The understanding of depression is low as well which makes it hard for people to feel not isolated. -
Sloppy solutions
Japan has a very messy healthcare system. There is a huge shortage of psychiatrics. None of the psychiatrics they DO have work with psychologists, which makes it even worse off for the people. Medicine is very rarely ever prescribed to someone who is depressed. Anyone in Japan can set themselves up as a counselor and that makes it very hard for someone seeking help to know who is knowledgable and who isn't. -
Sickness
Sickness called hikkomori is a type of acute social withdrawl. Many people in Japan, mostly men, will lock themselves in their rooms for months and even years. Many males do not have any interest in sexual contact at all. In fact, the thought of it disgusts them. This is from severe isolation and the routine of bottling up their every thought and emotion.
