Why does Japan have such a high suicide rate?

Answer 1

The Japanese culture is very demanding. They work long and hard hours...which is very stressful. That could be one reason.

Answer 2

I believe it's the extremely stressful education system in Japan. Youngsters who can't reach to society's expectations go through mental exhaustion. Parents and educators constantly push students to the extreme in order to produce hardworking and intelligent citizens who are the future's hope.

By doing this, the Government aims to make Japan the most successful industrial country in the world especially in technology and business. Basically, Japan wants to become world leaders, beating US in future. (asians do anything for reputation and power).

Now a lot of working adults commit suicide too due to work related stress. Again, it's the society's high expectations.

Answer 3

From my Japanese opinion, there still Harakiri spirits exists today.
Harakiri(another word:Seppuku). It was done by Samurai warriors to avoid and to attenuate shame.

The reason and their age are various. However, the peak generation of suicide is 50-60 years old. 7 out of 10,000 ppl commit suicide.
Japan had been experienced recession for nearly 15 years. Many of this generation lost their job.
They might lose their hope too. Finding new job was not easy for them.
Specially men commit suicide. They suddenly disappear from their family or visit somewhere far from their house, usually they check in the hotel, and commit suicide there. We hear this kind of TV news often in Japan.
They may think to receive welfare benefit(livelihood protection or SII in US?) and let his wife to go to work for "living" is shame.

Don't you think it is strange to choose a hotel room to commit suicide?
Why not by car accident? jumping from somewhere?
They might wish other people find their body in short time, and bring them back to their family.
Harakiri was also done in front of other person or in their castle usually (castle was not all the same their house) in ancient Japan.

Answer 4

because the expectatin of their society is too high.. So if they fail, it's going to be a long term problem.. and they'd rather commit suicide

Answer 5

Incredibly high job stress and low family time.

Answer 6

Probably because failure is not allowed, they don't belive in forgiveness as a culture; thus people must kill themselves if they fail or make mistakes.

Answer 7

I would too if I had to eat raw fish and rice all the time!!

Answer 8

i guess its the pressure to be the best at everything...especially family...i read about a month ago this japanese kid killed himself because he didn't want to tell his family he did poorly in one test

Answer 9

You sure that's true?

Maybe all the Seppuku (Hari kari)

Answer 10

for kids it's school, it's the same in alot of the rest of Asian, too