The Harakiri and Its Implication to Japanese Pride

The Harakiri and Its Implication to Japanese Pride

Around 800,000 to a million people die by suicide every year, making it the 10th leading cause of death worldwide. Rates are higher in men than in women, with males three to four times more likely to kill themselves than females. There are an estimated 10 to 20 million non-fatal attempted suicides every year. Attempts are more common in the young and females.

Views on suicide have been influenced by broad existential themes such as religion, honor, and the meaning of life. During the samurai era in Japan, Seppuku also known as Harakiri was respected as a means of atonement for failure or as a form of protest.

One of the factors that leads to Harakiri in Japan is the Psychosocial states. A number of psychological states increase the risk of suicide including: hopelessness, loss of pleasure in life, depression and anxiousness. A poor ability to solve problems, the loss of abilities one used to have, and poor impulse control also play a role. In older adults the perception of being a burden to others is important.

Recent life stresses such as a loss of a family member or friend, loss of a job, or social isolation (such as living alone) increases risk. Those who have never married are also at greater risk. Being religious may reduce one's risk of suicide. This has been attributed to the negative stance many religions take against suicide and to the greater connectedness religion may give. Some may commit suicide to escape bullying or prejudice.

In Japan, relationships between people are greatly affected by duty and obligation. In duty-based relationships, what other people believe or think has a