So how come Japan's suicide rate, already one of the highest in the world, is up 15% over last year at this time?
The suicide rate was 17.7 per 100,000 population in the US in 2005, the most recent year the World Health Organization has stats for both countries. In Japan, the suicide rate was 24.2 per 100,000 population.
Gee, do you suppose people who really want to kill themselves will just find another way to get the job done if they don't have guns??
2 comments:
Or it might be cultural and have not a damn thing to do with what weapons are available.
jumping off the train platform into the tracks is the most famous way they do it, I think. recently, though, they have been making poison gas ( recipe found in the interwebz) out of common things such as bathroom cleaners. problem with the gasis it is dense and does not ventilate well. you die, but you take your parents down the hall and the downstairs neighbors with you. also in fashion are suicide clubs, where you can meet like-minded individuals to off yourself with.
I remember something about aserial killer they had who used the suicide clubs as part of his MO. he made a pact with his "victim", showed up to their date, and strangled them. (Whaaaaaat? isn't that like assisted suicide? Nevermind. )
and, yes, the culture thing is a factor. suicide in japan is not discouraged. there used to be suicide parks where you could kill yourself in peace without bothering anyone. and they have a whole range of customs aroundit, such as taking your shoes off and lining them carefully. if, say, you are walking in a foreted area and notice a pair of neatly lined shoes and you report it, the police will start searching for bodies...
so, yes, when oyu wnt to kill yourself, there are lots of ways that do not involve guns.
Post a Comment