LogFAQs > #969027476

BlackJackCat posted...

Japan does still have a particularly concerning suicide rate that has been linked to the work culture. Though that could also be a symptom of something different, I remember NHK reporting on this within the last five years.

I think that has more to do with some kind of honor code where you dont want to be a nuisance or failure to those around you, so when you feel you cant succeed and meet expectations at work and in life, and see no more positive outcome, then yeah, in the West we might have more of a safety net and we reach out, while they will want to deal with it by themselves instead of worrying/bothering their loved ones, or society. Basically, they feel strong about not being a burden on anyone.

In Japan, suicides are high among men who recently divorced, or lost their job. Bit ironic, btw, because the narrative is so often that suicides in Japan are high because of work-related pressure/stress, but being WITHOUT a job and thus losing that stability and status is a big cause of ending your life.

In South-Korea, its mentioned one of the reasons its suicide rates are so high, are because some older folks will choose suicide over becoming a burden on family.

Belgium has a higher suicide-rate than Japan, although that could be linked to euthanasia being legalized there.

https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/suicide-rate-by-country

I think in the West most of us were kinda brought up with the idea it will get better. After rain comes sunshine, and all that. Maybe those in certain Asian societies feel that the stain of temporary failure (a divorce, losing a job), will forever stick to them, and they cant/wont live with that image.