Suicide in Japan.

Hastings Standard, Issue 169, 12 November 1896, Page 4

Suicide in Japan.

An interesting essay on the prevalence of suicide in Japan has been written by Mr ttaito Kokufu, a native statistcian. The statistics extend over ten years, and show that suicide has been on the increase. In the case of Japanese women, the age at which suicide is most frequent is about 20; the corresponding period with men is 25. Comparatively few women commit suicide after the 25th year, but men are not safe until they are past ■lO. The women after mrrriage usually take life as they find it, and submit with stoicism to its conditions. Female suicides are rather more than half those of males, but with a distinct tendency to increase. From January to May are the worst months for suicides. The number falls to its lowest in November. In recent years the use of the sword by suicides is decreasing greatly, hanging is the method most frequently employed, but amongst women drowning is more common. The numbers of suicides varies ; it rises when the prico of rice is high and falls when rice is cheap. ISo attempt is made in the statistics to distinguish between educated and uneducated persons; it seems, however, that the view of the educated Japanese is that he has a right to commit suicide if he thinks his life has been a failure or that it had become an intolerable burden to him.