Before the comment about the suicide news, let me tell this to myself:
I am amazed my self to be talking about suicide in Japan. Before, I used to publish suicide news from Korea, and now, I am talking about Japan? And let me tell you, no, I am not a follower of suicide news. I just knew it was interesting to figure out why people decide to. And I know, it must be because of the fast growth of their economies in both country that triggers people to end their problems, since it’s hard to keep up with the changes.
It’s all these Korean wave and Japanese idol invasion in my life (I can’t say it’s for every Filipinos and my country) that makes me an alien to my own country. I could only read news about Asia in general, no TV for me, therefore no local news. And my only idea of local showbiz were the headlines in Starmometer.com, and I don’t even read every articles in it. I lost interest reading Korean gossip sites, I even worry that I might forget the names of every Korean artists I knew. (And that my Hangeul skills would soon be forgotten)
Back to the news, it seems South Korea is only second to Japan in terms of the suicide rates. The largest rate in Asia still comes from Russia. The latest suicide trend in Japan is through killing their selves with a gas called Hydrogen Sulfide. What’s alarming is that, with this, not only the people who try to kill themselves are affected but a few others who happen to smell remnants of the gas. Also, creating the deadly gas seems simple, with the use of household items like detergents and such. And yet with another similarity to Korea, Japanese seems to have the culture where they copy the suicide mechanism they see on the news. A portion on the end of the article shows the update on this copycat suicide.
In another article, the Philippines, considered still, a poor country, has lesser suicide rate than the progressive countries. I think most people here, doesn’t really want to end their lives, doesn’t really want to die, but rather wanted some attention, some help, that’s why they attempt suicide. I haven’t heard of people just jumping in the railway stations, but they’d rather climb over billboards and hold threats (which takes, as long time as possible, an hour is the minimum) if noone listens to them. People sometimes just laugh at it, and probably the "jumper" just wants to laugh about it, but I’m hoping people would not take it as a joke but a warning, that something worse might develop if we never do something about it. I remember someone who always complains to his family that he’s not happy and he’s sick and depressed. I know people in our country don’t take depression as something serious. They (or rather we) don’t bring anyone to the hospital unless the patient can’t walk.
, but right now, all I need is a bag of potato chips and I’m ready to enjoy Arashi!
Raise your Hands!