Suicide is a true epidemic in Japan. For twelve straight years, the suicide rate in Japan has been over 30,000 people per year.
No type of person is excluded from the problem:
- The Elderly - often to keep from being a burden from their family, who is culturally expected to care for them as they age and grow sick.
- Children - many to escape school pressure, bullies, or family problems.
- Business Men - Over 70% of suicides are men, with the most common stated reason being financial problems, followed by health issues and family problems.
Government prevention poster advises seeing a doctor if having trouble sleeping
Recently, jumping from station platforms in front of oncoming trains has been a common method of suicide. The situation is becoming so frequent, Japan is finding it's daily routine effected by the increase of this form of suicide. One Newspaper article states, "But now, an increasingly used excuse for tardiness in this land of punctuality has been readily accepted by even the toughest bosses: Someone jumped in front of the train.”
Blue lighting has been installed in some train stations, because of it's "calming" effect
on emotions, in hopes to prevent suicide.
In just our near 6 months of living in Japan, we have already had the experience of riding a train which stopped mid-route. We were told by a fellow passenger that someone in a nearby city jumped in front of a train, and therefore many other trains we stopped and waiting. We don’t know if this was truly the case, but it’s possible.
Barrier built to prevent jumping in front of train
Will you please pray for those in Japan struggling with depression and considering suicide? Pray that God will reveal himself to them. Pray that they will have an opportunity to hear about the God who created them and cares for them deeply - the God of Hope.
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