The term "kamikaze" was coined by Japanese suicide pilots in World War I, but the actual meaning and origin of kamikaze goes back 700 years before the invasion of Europe. A pair of massive typhoons that each wrecked a Mongol fleet attempting to invade Japan were named kamikaze, meaning "divine wind". It was perceived to be a gift from the gods, supposedly granted after a retired emperor went on a pilgrimage and prayed for divine intervention. Kamikaze pilots were responsible for the destruction of many American navy fleets, similar to the typhoon that destroyed the Mongol invaders. Still considered honorable in modern times, suicide has become an oblivious event in Japanese culture. Adapting to newer technologies, internet group suicides have become more common and accepted in Japan.
Japanese authorities have been slow to address suicide, a nationwide occurrence that increased 5% in the past year. "More than 32,500 suicides were reported in 2005; because insurance benefits tend to be denied to the dead person’s family, many suicides are recorded as accidents". Authorities met with internet providers and created a strict criteria that depicts when police could intervene on a potential group suicide. The place of death and the method by which the suicide will be executed stated on a bulletin board specifically devoted to suicide is the only situation the police can be involved in. With the police taking little action, suicide is on a steady rise.
The unspoken, oblivious idea of suicide in Japanese culture revealed itself when a Tokyo University graduate and publishing-industry dropout, Wataru Tsurumi, published a novel titled The Perfect Suicide Manual. This antidote for the suicidal mind suggests ideas such as hanging, electrocution, drug overdose, asphyxiation, and self- immolation with accompanying cartoons, best places to commit suicide, and accounts of famous celebrity suicides. These depictions implant the idea that suicide is easy and painless, a common, socially acceptable activity. To us Westerners, suicide is the result of a disturbed and depressed mind looking for a way out. But how Tsurumi describes it,
“There’s nothing bad about suicide. We have no religion or laws here in Japan telling us otherwise. As for group suicides, before the Internet, people would write letters, or make phone calls … it’s always been part of our culture.”
The Japanese suicides aren't a result of poverty, lack of education or other social issues. The people involved in group suicides can be wealthy and/or have a family with children. What is really mind boggling is the fact that these group suicides are with anonymous people. Strangers gather and over-dose together without hesitation. Then why do these people so freely take their lives? There is an underlying concept that exists within martyr-honored cultures, such as Japanese and Muslim, exclaiming that suicide is more of a way to rid oneself of dishonor and be given a clean slate.
Modern times and the introduction of the internet has only made group suicide more easily accessible. Amidst their solitude, cleanse seeking souls can prowl the internet for others doing the exact same. Forums are continually attracting the attention of the free-floating population of lonely, curious, or dissatisfied souls who exist in all times and places, and in all cultures.
Just reading over some posts the author has collected from the forums really goes to show how serious this is. It's almost sickening to me, being someone who is extroverted and gregarious. This well written and interesting essay has brought a subliminal issue to my attention. Opinionated at times, David Samuels gave enough information for the reader to form their own perception of this suicide. This almost connects to the "Is Google Making Us Stupid?" article where there was a debate on whether the internet is beneficial to society. How great is the internet now that you are aware that people are killing themselves by the thousands as a result?
Reading articles like this really make it apparent how different other cultures are. In our culture, when someone is feeling depressed or suicidal, it is acceptable for them to find help or talk to someone. In cultures such as this one, that isn't as acceptable and people see suicide as a good way to be forgiven and escape their problems. overall I think this is a super powerful article that you found and that it touches on many different topics.
ReplyDeleteI am shocked that this is still a continuing idea in Japanese culture. I agree with Sam that this shows the differences in our culture and others. I wonder how they see our culture. Is there something about our culture that scares them?
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