Internet Group Suicide in Japan Essay Example

4 million calls in 2009, while Japan only received 0.7 million calls, according to ABC news. Shame and weakness can make it difficult for individuals to seek social support and weaken their desire to live, which may lead them to use the Internet as a means of expressing themselves anonymously. For Japanese people, the Internet provides a useful and effective method of communication.

Online communication is often thought to provide more chances for people to make social connections and receive support, but in reality it has the opposite effect. Due to anonymity, individuals can express their emotions and deepest thoughts with ease. For instance, if someone were to share suicidal feelings in an online chat room, they would probably not receive any intervention or preventive measures like "Hold on, wait a minute."

Ueno (2005) stated that in Japan, individuals considering suicide experience social isolation in both online and offline communities. This leads to difficulties in seeking help and makes them vulnerable to criticism and attacks from others who perceive them as failures.

According to Suicide Theory, Internet Group Suicide in Japan is considered to be egoistic, although further factors beyond social integration must be considered to fully understand its uniqueness. The phenomenon is largely shaped by the Japanese perspective on suicide and death, which are heavily influenced by socialization.

Based on Japan’s history, culture, religion, Performance of Notables, and mass media, it is important to provide an explanation for suicide in the country. (1) Suicide has been a prevalent issue in Japan’s history, with Hara-kiri and Shinjyuu being two of the most common methods used. Hara-kiri was reserved only for samurai, a social class-bound privilege practiced to prevent divulging

information and being killed by the enemy.

According to Ueno (2005), Shinjyu is a form of suicide that is commonly practiced by people, especially those who are intimate such as mother-son, brother-brother or even the entire family. The classification of suicide based on social class suggests that suicide has been prevalent in old Japan. This indicates that suicide is not a new phenomenon for Japanese people and has been part of their culture for a long time. Furthermore, as noted by Benedict (1946), Japan is a shame culture society that has zero tolerance for failure. This extreme level of shame culture in Japan makes failure an unacceptable option.

The Japanese culture values apology over explanation, which is why they are seen as intimidating when their scandal is revealed. This was evident in the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, where the CEO's initial action was to bow and apologize extensively. Additionally, repentant defendants typically have an advantage in Japanese courts compared to those who try to justify their actions with their mental state, beliefs, or emotions.

Comparing guilt culture to shame culture, outside punishment can alleviate guilt feelings while shame feelings can only be assuaged through apologies. It is difficult for the wrongdoer to withstand the repugnance of others in shame culture (Taguchi, 2000). When shame remains, suicide may be the ultimate option (3). Additionally, the majority of Japanese people follow a syncretic religion that blends Buddhism and Shinto beliefs.

(Wiki, 2012) The outlook on death in Japan has been greatly influenced by the doctrines of Buddhism and Shinto. According to Buddhism, believers are given the opportunity to experience reincarnation. This implies that they will be reborn after they pass away.

On the other hand, Shinto asserts that all things possess a spirit.

According to Wiki (2012), in Japanese religions, when someone dies, their soul goes into the spirit world and they become a kami or spirit. As such, suicide is not prohibited and there is a belief in an ideal afterlife. These beliefs differ from major Western religions, which emphasize the value of life. The performance of notables is often focused on ending things beautifully.

Quietness (2009) states that in Japanese culture, suicide is considered an honorable and pure act. It is seen as a beautiful way to end one's life, and there exists an expectation among the Japanese that certain famous individuals like actors and authors will choose to commit suicide, thereby achieving a perfect end to their legendary lives. Moreover, when famous authors feel they have reached their peak and cannot surpass their previous achievements, they may also opt for suicide as a means to fulfill both their desire for sorrow and beauty. A prime example of this is Yasunari Kawabata, a renowned Japanese author who won numerous awards including the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1968; he took his own life in his office in 1972.

(Wiki, 2012) The Japanese honor a date in memory of a literary figure, despite his suicide. In the eyes of Japanese culture, he earned respect. (5) The media often highlights reports on group suicides for higher ratings. Such news pieces not only include objective information, but also provide numerous follow-up stories. This trend has unfortunately sparked a fashion for people to talk about and imitate, as seen in a similar group suicide that took place in February 2003, as

mentioned in news reports.

In 2003, several group suicides were found that mimicked a previous one, highlighting the significant influence of mass media on individuals considering suicide (Ueno, 2005). These events illustrate how these five social factors impact Japanese perceptions of death and suicide, emphasizing their strength and uniqueness (6).

Although suicide remains a controversial and delicate topic in the eyes of Japanese society, it is no longer seen as a taboo on the country's internet, where there are thousands of websites dedicated to the subject (Harding, 2005). On these sites, people can freely discuss and even actively seek out someone to die with.

With the convenience of the Internet, individuals considering suicide can easily connect with others in similar situations. The abundance of websites devoted to suicide indicates a significant interest in this topic. A book published in 1993 explores various methods of suicide and their advantages and disadvantages, leading some to call for its permanent ban.

This article discusses creating tools from household items, comparing the noise levels and impact on neighbors of different methods, and exploring the varying degrees of pain associated with each. Additionally, it examines the popularity of certain locations for committing suicide.

(TSURUMI, 1993) Despite its alarming content, the Suicide Club movie was a blockbuster hit in Japan, implying that there is a significant level of interest and preparation for suicide among the Japanese population, even if it is unlikely to be acted upon. The film portrays students having fun with suicide, featuring a scene where 50 girls jump onto the rail in a seemingly carefree manner, laughing and chatting as if headed to a concert. This 2002 Japanese independent horror film

depicts disturbing imagery but was widely popular among audiences in Japan.

The movie demonstrates the Japanese attitude toward suicide, emphasizing that they often commit it for reasons that may not seem important to outsiders. This is shown through a student attempting to jump off a building as a way to gain attention from others. The use of comforting music in this scene adds to the unsettling feeling it creates. The film's goal is to highlight Japan's experiences with natural disasters like tsunamis and earthquakes, which may contribute to their views on life and death. (7)

Kishmoto (1954) states that the Japanese hold a fatalistic view of their destiny and rely on cause-and-effect rather than supernatural intervention. This outlook is deeply rooted in their psyche, and some may resort to suicide as a means of altering their fate. These beliefs stem from Buddhist and Shinto principles that offer the possibility of a fresh start after death, where previous actions do not impact chances for reincarnation.

Accordingly, suicide may serve as a method of easing remorse and rectifying wrongdoing. Yamaguchi (2011) illustrates that an individual who has been unsuccessful in a job interview might resort to taking their own life. This setback could be perceived as indicative of a hopeless future, inducing the graduate to feel disheartened. Furthermore, it can result in feelings of inadequacy towards meeting familial expectations, causing shame. Suicide presents itself as not only a means of reducing this shame and changing one's destiny but also repaying supposed debts.

(8) The higher tendency for Japanese to commit suicide can be attributed to their unique social factors. However, as humans, we all share a fear of death. Group Suicide

can provide courage to candidates and alleviate loneliness and fear. (Batra, 2005) Overall, the historical and religious factors in Japan contribute to a lack of refusal towards the topic of suicide. Additionally, the shame culture and ideology factor into the Japanese tendency towards suicide.

The glorification of suicide through Hara-kiri and notable figures, coupled with the trivialization of group suicide by media coverage, has led to a surge in interest in Internet Group Suicide. The availability of online forums has made it easy for potential suicide candidates to find partners, creating an ideal environment for this phenomenon to thrive.