What do you think we need to do to prevent people from ending their own lives? I know it's not a simple problem, but I would love to hear your opinions. ・ In this channel, you can take a closer look at Japanese traditional culture, tips upon traveling to Kyoto, and social problems in Japan. So learners and lovers of Japanese language and culture, be sure to subscribe to enjoy more content! Please check out the description box for more videos recommended for you! ▼Join our Membership▼ ruclips.net/channel/UCn7DCb9ttrcw9h3vh9dfnVwjoin ▼Sub channel “Shogo’s Podcast”▼ ruclips.net/channel/UCZAe1VayWxp5NLO4Net78DA ▼Instagram▼ instagram.com/lets_ask_shogo/ *Please ask me questions through the DM here!（⚠️I do not use e-mail） Thank you again very much for watching!
A few ideas: 1. Not crush the spirits of the youth through an upbringing of forced conformity, crushingly high emphasis on achievement, and casual cruelty towards the different and the underachievers. 2. Change the work culture to not make work the only thing in peoples' lives. Reduce hours, reward efficiency, grant more vacation time, make time off mandatory. 3. Not punish people for being honest with their feelings; the concept of Mentsu makes people afraid of each other and the vulnerability that comes with genuine connection. 4. Abandon the shame-control model, which blows all faults out of proportion and means that all mistakes, accidental or deliberate, are never truly recovered from.
is there anything like the suicide hotline? if u never heard of it, its an anonymous phone number for people thinking about taking their own life so they can talk to someone who cares and get the help they need. if there is a way then why isnt it working and what can we do to help?
Mental health. I have heard that seeing a counselor or seeing a doctor for mental health is looked down on. This should change first as after people start to open up and talk the underlying issue will surface.
@@krispyhd9484 why is it sad?? People choose to do it, i thought westerners were all about free choice??? Now all of a sudden someone cant choose to end there life??
Big respect Shogo. Suicide is a very sensitive topic and needs to have attention. They need to protect the lives of Young people. I hope that the people who want to commit suicide get through their hardship.
Sounds like places are getting fucked up…. If Japan has such a high youth suicide rate… and low birth rates…. They aren’t recovering from population decline problem.
@@1mol831 The youth are too busy with their career and school to find partners and make familys in turn making them depressed and stressed for their future
and it shouldnt be sensitive. that needs to be broken. everyone has problems and they should be able to speak out and be listened to and helped with. i wish those who have struggles can find the one thing or person that can help them
As a Japanese person myself, yeah, people comparing the two are stereotyping us. The two are not equivalent at all. Seppuku was done because of an honor code, the pride of a warrior to not get caught and a show of loyalty to their lord. And also for pragmatic reasons so they don’t get caught and tortured. It’s basically like a secret agent taking a cyanide pill, a heroic sacrifice, or a protester lighting themselves on fire. In modern times it’s sort of the opposite; depression, feelings of worthlessness, _lack_ of pride in oneself. It’s something that builds and stews slowly in the person’s mind over months, possibly years, until they just snap and do the deed. And while it’s sad when someone dies, that’s even sadder. I do think that suicides out of pride _may_ have been a thing into relatively recent times, especially when the WWII generation was still an active part of society, but nowadays it’s certainly almost universally from bad mental health, and/or only the pressure to succeed/sense of failure part is related to the samurai mentality remotely.
@@fitawrarifitness6842 I think so? If suicide statistics are any indication? Mental health sadly is only just starting to be discussed. Though I think that South Korea also has this issue.
I suffer from major depression disorder, anxiety and suicidal tendencies. I've come a long way. But harakiri and suicide are different. Part of the problem I believe is the pressure added to people from a young age. Also a lack of self identity. Never being able to live and act as one wishes because everywhere you go you have to act a certain way. There are so many factors and I immediately knew that it was depression. Not a sense of honor. My heart cries for all who have taken their lives and I hope they can rest. As well as their families.
@@maya-wy8ml thank you for expressing concern. Yes. I am doing much better. Once I stopped with the keep head down do as your said, started defending myself and not allowing myself to be victimized, things got better. I'm still seeing my psychiatrist. Things are looking up. Once again. Thank you.
Incidentally, harakiri was hardly the only form of ritual suicide among warrior nobility in the world. While it wasn't quite as ritualized, Romans and medieval European aristocrats had a very similar practice themselves.
agreed. It makes it look like the suicide is just 'part of the culture' even when it's very different circumstances. That makes it much harder to change something about it, if you just accept it as 'cultural' And yep @antonio I find this actually very interesting how in a way similar many warrior/noble cultures around the world are. Of course the methods differ, but there are many similarities. Even forced suicide as a 'better way to die' than other execution methods happened in several different countries in the past, though not as much as Japan.
My guess is societies that don't consider the values of an individual leaving him/her feeling powerless with no hope of change suicide is a global problem not just Japan's Harakiri is pretty much one becoming a martyr by killing himself when out of options to protect his beliefs and world views.
When I saw "Health problems" listed as the reason for suicides, I thought organic illnesses (such as ulcerative colitis) were the trigger for a depression which culminated in suicide. The explanation helped clear up the misunderstanding I had for a while.
Depression is more of a state of mind than physical and biological diseases. If you have a fatal sickness, it'll kill you. But if you have suicidal depression, you simply can't find a reason to live anymore.
It’s a state of mind but it’s an organic disease, too. It’s located in the brain and it involves neuroleptic chemicals and neural connections. You can’t just say to yourself, “I’m not going to be depressed today” and have the depression vanish. I have lived with depression for 53 years and had some bad times when I came very close to ending my life. I’ve taken advantage of nearly every medical treatment available and these therapies have helped me make it through so far. But the illness is always there and I can never say I am cured. I’ll be battling this monster till I die, hopefully of natural causes.
@@TenderNoodle hope that MRI cover all light spectrum with precise usages and cripsr is used for the sicks not like the vice movie 2015 which is a bit similar to automaton story of nier
Shogo, by far you are one of the bravest to tackle this issue hard front. Most people shy away from this horrible situation lived by many. Your content is great!
people talk about suicide in Japan ad nauseam. Westerners are obsessed with it. Japan ranks 25th in the world for suicide rate. Belgium, Hungary and the United States all have higher suicide rates. I've never heard anyone talk about Belgium's suicide rate.
I can't say for sure. But I think the stigma about mental health, and the availablity of getting help for such problems is also another reason for suicides. For the longest time when I'd talk about how depressed I am or how I'd hurt myself to ease that strain, my parent's first words were, "Well, do you need to go to a mental hospital?" It felt like a threat. It felt like they were saying I should be put away. It took a very long time for anyone to see what I needed. And not treat me like I was a problem.
@@mikigirl18 agree. When I was depressed I didn't ask for help for a very long time as I was too scared I would be 'put in a mental home'. I really do hope you are doing well now and have made it out the other side 💕
@@Tokyo_Rose. I'm getting therapy and getting the help I needed. It's been rough, but I have better support now. Thank you very much for asking about me. And I hope you're doing better too.
This needs to be brought up more and thank you for talking about it Shogo. A few years back, I lost a friend who worked as an English teacher in Tokyo to suicide and he had just started a family too. I'm glad that mental health is being taken more seriously. RIP Ryan.
It's such a heavy and heartbreaking topic, i just have this urge to help every young person who is facing depression these days. I hope every one gets to experience a better life and live happily without the pressure of work school and society.
I've been through recurring depression for nine years now. I lost my job, my family, my happiness, my previous life .... Even if I'm not Japanese, Seppuku was often an option for me and I've probably sat in front of my tanto for many, many hours. An important topic that you brought up very sensitively. Thanks for that. I keep fighting my black dog and I get great support. It's worth reaching out to these young people before it's too late. Your video is also a call for everyone to look and act. Nobody knows if and when they will get into such a situation. Greetings from Switzerland, another wealthy country with a suicide rate that is much too high.
I appreciate how you put "Seppuku" in the thumbnail even though it has a different name and you never used that term in the video. I had no idea it was called "harakiri" so that helped me understand what you were talking about. Thank you for all your videos. I really enjoy learning about the Japanese culture and having it come from someone who's Japanese themselves makes it so much more immersive and you also know the history and all the subtlties so I really apprecaite you making these videos. I love your channel!
Hi Shogo, thank you for all these videos that you make on explaining social problems. In my opinion, education and awareness on these issues is the first step to tackling such problems. We can only make progress if we recognize there is a problem in the first place.
I am very glad you say so! And I just recently realized that you have lined my channel up on your “recommended channels!” Thank you so much for your kindness✨
Shogo, your content is always really solid. Seriously, it's the type that the internet was made for. This video hit differently, though, in the best way possible. A tough subject that you tackled incredibly well. Without getting too personal, that "No one deserves to die" really struck a chord. Thanks for making this.
My husband took his own life so I was kind of worried about watching this that I may get upset. But I think you were very respectful and besides my gut reflex at the word "suicide" itself, I was able to watch without being upset. Thank you for your kindness and understanding and the great care you took in this very educational video.
Hey Shogo could you make a video about Japan's education system. Also I'm curious about Japan's college entrance exam. Is it as similar to the SAT or to the Gaokao?
@@Iera_Thaumaturgy I disagree too. Suicide is often a rational, pragmatic decision. No different in the thought process of choosing to terminate your life when you have a terminal illness anyway.
It honestly depends. My father committed suicide when I was 11 years old, as he was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia and depression, which my mother couldn't deal with anymore, so she filed for divorce. It was at that time when he decided he couldn't continue. Now, therapists have told me many times that it would be perfectly understandable if I felt anger towards him for leaving us, but after dealing with depression myself for 6 years now, I can't say I don't understand his decision. Heck, the only reason I'm still alive is the fact that I value my consciousness. Being alive can be awesome, but if there's nothing holding you here, and you really tried looking everywhere, you should be allowed to be selfish.
What an informative and concise video. Like so many people said, this is not an easy theme to talk about, but you accomplished to do it in a formal and serious way. Thank you!
Thank you very much for discussing this topic. It honestly brought a tear to my eye with the data alone and I’m so sorry that your home country is so cursed with the horrible plague of depression and I hope that everyone can eventually feel happy in life
When I am able to come to Japan again, I would love to thank you in person for all the educational videos you have made. Thank you for being alive and bringing such wonderful content.
Thanks for sharing it is an interesting video with a lot of information. I think that to prevent people from committing suicide are to help those people with therapy because it can help and if it is a health problem, they should also be taken care of and the same for those who are getting bullied as well. The government should try to help these people who have these issues and take better care of them. Like offer these people to go to a center where they can get help. Well, it is only my opinion but that is what i had in my mind.
The concept of harakiri makes me think of the vikings and their belief of dying in battle sends them to valhalla. I mean thats like a simple comparison (i think theres a deeper process or meaning on the norse side to).
The difference is the vikings didn't end themselves in battle, so they were way more honorable. Harakiri was cooked up by a guy on a power trip, finding it funny how anyone will do as he says.
I've heard that the issue with suicide has to do with perfectionism in the job and school performance. that they feel the societal pressure and some can't take it.
I'm glad you as a youtuber were able to open up in a previous video about your own struggles with suicidality and bullying. I've struggled with those myself so to see you make it through that and still be here today is inspiring. I'm glad you are still here. And I going to try my best to not let my depression win either. 🙏
Maybe if more people were like you and tackled such a difficult topic, we'd actualyl work towards lowering the suicide rate, not just in Japan, but around the world.
Shogo, I commend you for tackling this topic with tact, cognisance, and respect. While harakiri and seppuku have their historical significance in the Edo period and are ingrained in samurai tradition in terms of class, suicide should never ever be glorified. I should know. Because when I was a teenager, I used to contemplate self-harm. However, speaking as a grown-up, I have learned that the best thing to do is take great care of myself, live my life the best way I could, and take full responsibility of my physical, mental, and emotional health.
In an age where following the strict rules of RUclips's fickle guidelines and "The Almighty Algorithm", I really respect you touching on this subject and doing a great job at explaining the differences between both!
I considered this topic myself when reading about the history of Japan. I do think they are related but I agree with your conclusion to not call modern suicide strictly a "Harakiri issue". It's much more related to modern Japanese living conditions for young people. Thank you for making the video.
If honor is a major difference between harakiri and suicide. I wonder if the monk who set himself ablaze, would retain honor for his beliefs? Thank you for talking about this.
While social networking can be a great thing it can be so detrimental. In Australia more young girls take their lives from internet bullying and males in their late teens to early 30s are usually from some sort of feeling of failure. I've lost family and close friends from this and it never heals a thing. Their pain is over but that pain is now being carried by those who loved you.
Such a well documented video. I really appreciate how much effort you put to organize things in order. Why this channel is so underrated? I hope it would reach out to more people sooner or later. Banzai Shogo-san!!!
Upfront enough to tackle this hard topic directly, hinting the real issues. Precautious enough to not bring unnecessary discussions by point out directly where the blame is. Won't complain. Nice video Shogo, thanks for the insight.
Wow this hits close to home. I've had my own share of demons but I didnt know suicide was that high in Japan. It somewhat makes me glad I didnt end my life.
Thanks Shogo for another eye opening video. When you learn about the wonderful things about a country, its just as important to keep in mind what struggles it faces as well. The fact that people worry about burdening other people all the time and not reaching out about problems in order to not feel selfish is surely one thing that should be fixed. There's a difference between problem dumping, and explaining how you feel and asking for advice. People deserve therapy if things are too hard to handle
You have presented a fascinating and very informative video. I learned a lot about seppuku. I was one of those ignorant foreigners who thought that the tradition of seppuku influenced modern day Japanese attitudes about the desirability to “take responsibility” for their perceived failures by ending their lives. On a superficial level it sounded reasonable. But after watching your video, I see how mistaken I was. Thank you for setting me straight! I have a request for a future topic: the forest of Aokigahara and the tradition of suicide associated with it. Also the connection of the forest with ubasute and the haunting of the forest by the yurei. I have always admired the Japanese people for the respect they show the elderly. That is why I have difficulty reconciling a tradition of taking elderly family members to a remote area and leaving them to die.
Surprised RUclips hasn't taken this video down considering they pretend it doesn't happen. Mad respect for you to cover this subject despite the risk. 🙇♂️
Hey Shogo, thank you for this very informative video! It makes me sad to see such high suicide rates among the young japanese folks... I think the first thing Japan needs to work on is mental health. It needs to immediately stop stigmatizing mental ilnesses like depression and it needs to be able to provide professional, competent care. From there, you work towards having a healthier upbringing, school environment, and work culture. I just realized the irony that the country that invented bushido, which I believe is all about mastering one's internal emotions, has become one that ignores mental health.
I had no idea about the soul residing in the stomach. I'd always just assumed that choosing such a difficult and painful injury to inflict on oneself was a sign of sincerity in whatever belief drove the person to it. I'm also delighted that you refer to mental health simply as a health problem. Here in America, we treat mental health as being both separate from and lesser than "real" health, as if the brain isn't part of the body too. Is seeing mental health as being valid as bodily health a common Japanese attitude, or am I misunderstanding your intent?
I wonder how the stomach soul thing is connected to the second brain being in the gut theory we now have. There are recent research that show how our gut microflora influence our thinking and how our brain regulates our body. Even traditional western thought believes that intuition resides in the stomach and that is why one should listen to it.
@@theshriekinghominin1760 The way I see it is that every part of the body is directly or indirectly connected to every other part of the body through the nervous system & the circulatory system at the least. When something hurts or disturbs any part of the body bad enough, not only will the brain notice, but other parts of the body will react as well (think system shock or overload for mechanical & electrical systems & overflow for data base systems & programming).
@@chicxulub2947 the rare one tho is the hang himself of the wakizashi dude who stab a man in a podium of a politikal partj it's even in yt respect there tho he could gone Chapman like the agent who pilot the way the eastern front ensues
I agree with Shogo on the fact that Harakiri culture is not a valuable explanation why many Japanese people commit suicide nowadays, but it's still interesting to notice the difference between Japanese culture (where suicide has been historically accepted mainly as a mean to show loyalty or innocence) and Western culture (where it was considered a sin by Christians).
Hallo Shogo. Thank you for an interesting, however somewhat tragic, video. Wishing you all the best with your endeavours. From Olifantsfontein in South Africa.
Shogo, you are my Sensei. I think you are a very sophisticated and creative person and your videos fill my imagination. Thank you for your beautiful and thoughtful work and thoughts, I am very grateful to you.
I hope you have major success working with the group in Kyoto. Sometimes people just need to slow down, take a deep breath and focus on your own mental health. Everything will get better. The best way I turned around my outlook on life is by changing my lifestyle. I chose to follow minimalism and decided to go cruelty free with the things I buy. I took up reading as another hobby. I enjoy just losing myself in a book and letting my brain think at its own pace while sitting outside of a cafe. I encourage everyone to try the same. Close your eyes and just listen to the wind blowing or watch the trees and flowers for a while.
Support groups are important. Friends, community, community clubs etc. Those who appear lonely when surrounded by people are bad but worst are the ones pretending to be OK and hardest to figure. I hope the world will grow healthier post covid.
I'm starting to love this channel as you handle subjects with honesty but also respect Alot of channels even those owned by Westerns are very hypocritical because of politics, beliefs or just ego
What do you think we need to do to prevent people from ending their own lives?
I know it's not a simple problem, but I would love to hear your opinions.
・
In this channel, you can take a closer look at Japanese traditional culture, tips upon traveling to Kyoto, and social problems in Japan.
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A few ideas:
1. Not crush the spirits of the youth through an upbringing of forced conformity, crushingly high emphasis on achievement, and casual cruelty towards the different and the underachievers.
2. Change the work culture to not make work the only thing in peoples' lives. Reduce hours, reward efficiency, grant more vacation time, make time off mandatory.
3. Not punish people for being honest with their feelings; the concept of Mentsu makes people afraid of each other and the vulnerability that comes with genuine connection.
4. Abandon the shame-control model, which blows all faults out of proportion and means that all mistakes, accidental or deliberate, are never truly recovered from.
We're going to need a society overhaul.
is there anything like the suicide hotline? if u never heard of it, its an anonymous phone number for people thinking about taking their own life so they can talk to someone who cares and get the help they need. if there is a way then why isnt it working and what can we do to help?
Hope. They need to know that things will get better....there's no reason to go on otherwise
Mental health. I have heard that seeing a counselor or seeing a doctor for mental health is looked down on. This should change first as after people start to open up and talk the underlying issue will surface.
Major respect for tackling this difficult subject
@Ross Clark sad indeed 😔
plot twist: he did it because he enjoyed it
@@krispyhd9484 why is it sad?? People choose to do it, i thought westerners were all about free choice??? Now all of a sudden someone cant choose to end there life??
@@krispyhd9484 quite a contradictions
@@ishrendon6435 it's sad that these people don't get the help they needed to get back up in life to not commiting suicide.
Big respect Shogo. Suicide is a very sensitive topic and needs to have attention. They need to protect the lives of Young people. I hope that the people who want to commit suicide get through their hardship.
Sounds like places are getting fucked up…. If Japan has such a high youth suicide rate… and low birth rates…. They aren’t recovering from population decline problem.
@@1mol831 The youth are too busy with their career and school to find partners and make familys in turn making them depressed and stressed for their future
and it shouldnt be sensitive. that needs to be broken. everyone has problems and they should be able to speak out and be listened to and helped with. i wish those who have struggles can find the one thing or person that can help them
As a Japanese person myself, yeah, people comparing the two are stereotyping us. The two are not equivalent at all. Seppuku was done because of an honor code, the pride of a warrior to not get caught and a show of loyalty to their lord. And also for pragmatic reasons so they don’t get caught and tortured. It’s basically like a secret agent taking a cyanide pill, a heroic sacrifice, or a protester lighting themselves on fire.
In modern times it’s sort of the opposite; depression, feelings of worthlessness, _lack_ of pride in oneself. It’s something that builds and stews slowly in the person’s mind over months, possibly years, until they just snap and do the deed. And while it’s sad when someone dies, that’s even sadder.
I do think that suicides out of pride _may_ have been a thing into relatively recent times, especially when the WWII generation was still an active part of society, but nowadays it’s certainly almost universally from bad mental health, and/or only the pressure to succeed/sense of failure part is related to the samurai mentality remotely.
Do you believe Japanese young people suffer from greater depression than other young people in the world?.
@@fitawrarifitness6842 I think so? If suicide statistics are any indication? Mental health sadly is only just starting to be discussed. Though I think that South Korea also has this issue.
@@fitawrarifitness6842 a lot of east asian countries tend to ignore mental health problems, so that might be true
@@hannajoceline as opposed to Caribbean countries that have lower rates of suicides??
@@fitawrarifitness6842 it's either carefree incremental or decline or even extinction but the brightest star lives the most ephemeral rip aniki
I suffer from major depression disorder, anxiety and suicidal tendencies. I've come a long way. But harakiri and suicide are different. Part of the problem I believe is the pressure added to people from a young age. Also a lack of self identity. Never being able to live and act as one wishes because everywhere you go you have to act a certain way. There are so many factors and I immediately knew that it was depression. Not a sense of honor. My heart cries for all who have taken their lives and I hope they can rest. As well as their families.
i hope youre doing well ;]
@@maya-wy8ml thank you for expressing concern. Yes. I am doing much better. Once I stopped with the keep head down do as your said, started defending myself and not allowing myself to be victimized, things got better. I'm still seeing my psychiatrist. Things are looking up. Once again. Thank you.
Hi! I wish for you continued progress in your healing...my heart also cries for those poor souls who could not find peace in life.
@@kimemerson5732 thank you for your support. It means a lot. And I'm sure those who passed on appreciate it as well.
My well wishes for you brother....hope you and everyone else find peace and purpose in these hard times....
You answered that a lot nicer than I would have. I think equating harakiri and modern suicide is insulting to both groups of people.
Whoever thought that must have been surely out of their mind. Seriously, comparing tradition with taking death?
Incidentally, harakiri was hardly the only form of ritual suicide among warrior nobility in the world. While it wasn't quite as ritualized, Romans and medieval European aristocrats had a very similar practice themselves.
agreed. It makes it look like the suicide is just 'part of the culture' even when it's very different circumstances. That makes it much harder to change something about it, if you just accept it as 'cultural'
And yep @antonio I find this actually very interesting how in a way similar many warrior/noble cultures around the world are. Of course the methods differ, but there are many similarities. Even forced suicide as a 'better way to die' than other execution methods happened in several different countries in the past, though not as much as Japan.
My guess is societies that don't consider the values of an individual leaving him/her feeling powerless with no hope of change suicide is a global problem not just Japan's
Harakiri is pretty much one becoming a martyr by killing himself when out of options to protect his beliefs and world views.
@@antonioscendrategattico2302 it's not always ritual. If you lost the war and you're on the run, no time for "ritual" and make it quick
I love how he’s never afraid to talk about the more controversial things going on in modern-day Japan.
When I saw "Health problems" listed as the reason for suicides, I thought organic illnesses (such as ulcerative colitis) were the trigger for a depression which culminated in suicide. The explanation helped clear up the misunderstanding I had for a while.
Depression is more of a state of mind than physical and biological diseases. If you have a fatal sickness, it'll kill you. But if you have suicidal depression, you simply can't find a reason to live anymore.
It’s a state of mind but it’s an organic disease, too. It’s located in the brain and it involves neuroleptic chemicals and neural connections. You can’t just say to yourself, “I’m not going to be depressed today” and have the depression vanish. I have lived with depression for 53 years and had some bad times when I came very close to ending my life. I’ve taken advantage of nearly every medical treatment available and these therapies have helped me make it through so far. But the illness is always there and I can never say I am cured. I’ll be battling this monster till I die, hopefully of natural causes.
@@starcatcherksp1517 a lot of people with depression have it because of a chemical imbalance in their brain, making it much more than a state of mind.
@@TenderNoodle hope that MRI cover all light spectrum with precise usages and cripsr is used for the sicks not like the vice movie 2015 which is a bit similar to automaton story of nier
health problems could just mean they're too fat for instagram and too lazy to change.
Shogo, by far you are one of the bravest to tackle this issue hard front. Most people shy away from this horrible situation lived by many. Your content is great!
people talk about suicide in Japan ad nauseam. Westerners are obsessed with it. Japan ranks 25th in the world for suicide rate. Belgium, Hungary and the United States all have higher suicide rates. I've never heard anyone talk about Belgium's suicide rate.
@@gordonbgraham this entire channel is produced for people who fetishize japan
@@doghouse010 yeah...that’s true
Never forget, mental health is just as important as physical health. Always have someone to talk to, there's no shame in seeking help.
They were not mentally ill tho
I dont need anyone to talk to. I have mental strength.
I can't say for sure. But I think the stigma about mental health, and the availablity of getting help for such problems is also another reason for suicides. For the longest time when I'd talk about how depressed I am or how I'd hurt myself to ease that strain, my parent's first words were, "Well, do you need to go to a mental hospital?" It felt like a threat. It felt like they were saying I should be put away. It took a very long time for anyone to see what I needed. And not treat me like I was a problem.
@@mikigirl18 agree. When I was depressed I didn't ask for help for a very long time as I was too scared I would be 'put in a mental home'.
I really do hope you are doing well now and have made it out the other side 💕
@@Tokyo_Rose. I'm getting therapy and getting the help I needed. It's been rough, but I have better support now. Thank you very much for asking about me. And I hope you're doing better too.
I love this direction you're taking. Serious topics need to be discussed so that they can be worked on.
This needs to be brought up more and thank you for talking about it Shogo. A few years back, I lost a friend who worked as an English teacher in Tokyo to suicide and he had just started a family too. I'm glad that mental health is being taken more seriously.
RIP Ryan.
It's such a heavy and heartbreaking topic, i just have this urge to help every young person who is facing depression these days. I hope every one gets to experience a better life and live happily without the pressure of work school and society.
Thank you for talking about such interesting, yet heartbreaking topics, Shogo.
I've been through recurring depression for nine years now. I lost my job, my family, my happiness, my previous life .... Even if I'm not Japanese, Seppuku was often an option for me and I've probably sat in front of my tanto for many, many hours. An important topic that you brought up very sensitively. Thanks for that. I keep fighting my black dog and I get great support. It's worth reaching out to these young people before it's too late. Your video is also a call for everyone to look and act. Nobody knows if and when they will get into such a situation. Greetings from Switzerland, another wealthy country with a suicide rate that is much too high.
I appreciate how you put "Seppuku" in the thumbnail even though it has a different name and you never used that term in the video. I had no idea it was called "harakiri" so that helped me understand what you were talking about. Thank you for all your videos. I really enjoy learning about the Japanese culture and having it come from someone who's Japanese themselves makes it so much more immersive and you also know the history and all the subtlties so I really apprecaite you making these videos. I love your channel!
I love how organized and straight to the point his videos are
Hi Shogo, thank you for all these videos that you make on explaining social problems. In my opinion, education and awareness on these issues is the first step to tackling such problems. We can only make progress if we recognize there is a problem in the first place.
Great video Shogo! This is an extremely fascinating subject to me!
I am very glad you say so!
And I just recently realized that you have lined my channel up on your “recommended channels!”
Thank you so much for your kindness✨
4:19 this is author, poet (and many more) Yukio Mishima. His story is amazing.
I learned afterward that I lived for a short while close to where he tried to do the coup.
Thank you for your sensitivity and caring and highlighting topics like this.
Shogo, your content is always really solid. Seriously, it's the type that the internet was made for.
This video hit differently, though, in the best way possible. A tough subject that you tackled incredibly well.
Without getting too personal, that "No one deserves to die" really struck a chord.
Thanks for making this.
My husband took his own life so I was kind of worried about watching this that I may get upset. But I think you were very respectful and besides my gut reflex at the word "suicide" itself, I was able to watch without being upset.
Thank you for your kindness and understanding and the great care you took in this very educational video.
Hey Shogo could you make a video about Japan's education system.
Also I'm curious about Japan's college entrance exam. Is it as similar to the SAT or to the Gaokao?
Nothing is similar to gaokao.
Maybe except for JEE in India.
What is Gaokao?
Much respect for addressing such an important topic. Life can be very tough at times but suicide isn't the answer.
I simply disagree
@@Iera_Thaumaturgy I disagree too. Suicide is often a rational, pragmatic decision. No different in the thought process of choosing to terminate your life when you have a terminal illness anyway.
Disagreed and if you want I can explain why
I disagree
It honestly depends. My father committed suicide when I was 11 years old, as he was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia and depression, which my mother couldn't deal with anymore, so she filed for divorce. It was at that time when he decided he couldn't continue.
Now, therapists have told me many times that it would be perfectly understandable if I felt anger towards him for leaving us, but after dealing with depression myself for 6 years now, I can't say I don't understand his decision. Heck, the only reason I'm still alive is the fact that I value my consciousness. Being alive can be awesome, but if there's nothing holding you here, and you really tried looking everywhere, you should be allowed to be selfish.
What an informative and concise video. Like so many people said, this is not an easy theme to talk about, but you accomplished to do it in a formal and serious way. Thank you!
Thank you very much for discussing this topic. It honestly brought a tear to my eye with the data alone and I’m so sorry that your home country is so cursed with the horrible plague of depression and I hope that everyone can eventually feel happy in life
This video touches a very serious problem. Thank you for taking the time and putting in the effort to make this.
When I am able to come to Japan again, I would love to thank you in person for all the educational videos you have made. Thank you for being alive and bringing such wonderful content.
This is such a thoughtful, sensitive explanation. I am very grateful to have learned about this from you.
Thanks for sharing it is an interesting video with a lot of information. I think that to prevent people from committing suicide are to help those people with therapy because it can help and if it is a health problem, they should also be taken care of and the same for those who are getting bullied as well. The government should try to help these people who have these issues and take better care of them. Like offer these people to go to a center where they can get help. Well, it is only my opinion but that is what i had in my mind.
You handled a very difficult and sensitive subject in a way that was interesting and respectful. Thanks so much for the content!
Definitely one of those topics that gets you to think and also understanding harakiri and it’s roots thank you Shogo
this is such an important subject. thank you for your sensitive work in educating others about these facts. 🌟
The concept of harakiri makes me think of the vikings and their belief of dying in battle sends them to valhalla. I mean thats like a simple comparison (i think theres a deeper process or meaning on the norse side to).
What about ISIS
@@eyeofthepyramid2596 that’s not... nvm
@@eyeofthepyramid2596 it’s the same thing with isis
The difference is the vikings didn't end themselves in battle, so they were way more honorable.
Harakiri was cooked up by a guy on a power trip, finding it funny how anyone will do as he says.
I've heard that the issue with suicide has to do with perfectionism in the job and school performance. that they feel the societal pressure and some can't take it.
I love this channel! Shogo explains all these cultural concepts in such a clear and concise way. I am so intrigued!!
Thank you for covering social issues like this! We always learn so much from you! Much respect!
I really liked the way you tackled this sensitive topic.
Thank you for sharing Shogo! I love this video and always striving to help those who struggle with mental health issue
Thank you for talking about this heavy subject, rest in peace to all the beautiful souls lost to suicide🙏
Thank you for sharing, Shogo! ありがとうございます!
I'm glad you as a youtuber were able to open up in a previous video about your own struggles with suicidality and bullying. I've struggled with those myself so to see you make it through that and still be here today is inspiring. I'm glad you are still here. And I going to try my best to not let my depression win either. 🙏
difficult topic covered in a subtle and factual way thanks and keep up the interesting content
After all this years knowing harakiri just "they do it because of loosing their honor" now I have step up my level of understanding about this topic.
Maybe if more people were like you and tackled such a difficult topic, we'd actualyl work towards lowering the suicide rate, not just in Japan, but around the world.
Shogo, I commend you for tackling this topic with tact, cognisance, and respect. While harakiri and seppuku have their historical significance in the Edo period and are ingrained in samurai tradition in terms of class, suicide should never ever be glorified. I should know. Because when I was a teenager, I used to contemplate self-harm. However, speaking as a grown-up, I have learned that the best thing to do is take great care of myself, live my life the best way I could, and take full responsibility of my physical, mental, and emotional health.
You did a great job of explaining a very sensitive subject. Another reason to keep recommending your content.
In an age where following the strict rules of RUclips's fickle guidelines and "The Almighty Algorithm", I really respect you touching on this subject and doing a great job at explaining the differences between both!
Thank you for taking the time to teach us about this keep up the good work.
I first heard this term in an anime called Demon Slayer. I had to come here after seeing that.
Same
I considered this topic myself when reading about the history of Japan. I do think they are related but I agree with your conclusion to not call modern suicide strictly a "Harakiri issue". It's much more related to modern Japanese living conditions for young people. Thank you for making the video.
If honor is a major difference between harakiri and suicide. I wonder if the monk who set himself ablaze, would retain honor for his beliefs? Thank you for talking about this.
Honour for his beliefs? Do you mean "honour according to his beliefs"?
While social networking can be a great thing it can be so detrimental. In Australia more young girls take their lives from internet bullying and males in their late teens to early 30s are usually from some sort of feeling of failure. I've lost family and close friends from this and it never heals a thing. Their pain is over but that pain is now being carried by those who loved you.
Such a well documented video.
I really appreciate how much effort you put to organize things in order. Why this channel is so underrated? I hope it would reach out to more people sooner or later. Banzai Shogo-san!!!
Upfront enough to tackle this hard topic directly, hinting the real issues. Precautious enough to not bring unnecessary discussions by point out directly where the blame is.
Won't complain. Nice video Shogo, thanks for the insight.
Thank you for this video, Shogo. I learned a lot, and I'm truly glad you're taking this grave concern with such seriousness.
i’m so happy that you’re here shogo i have so much hope for the youth of Japan
Wow this hits close to home. I've had my own share of demons but I didnt know suicide was that high in Japan. It somewhat makes me glad I didnt end my life.
Love that this was so data driven and factual. Great video!
Thanks Shogo for another eye opening video. When you learn about the wonderful things about a country, its just as important to keep in mind what struggles it faces as well. The fact that people worry about burdening other people all the time and not reaching out about problems in order to not feel selfish is surely one thing that should be fixed. There's a difference between problem dumping, and explaining how you feel and asking for advice. People deserve therapy if things are too hard to handle
Honestly, I love learning about the Japanese culture and I have such great respect for it, I love your videos man (this one was really interesting)
This was interesting. It answered any questions but also raises some issues.
Just found you and I enjoy the knowledge you share and how you present what you've learned it's very cool.
Very well written and important video. Thank you
What makes it sad is that, if this keeps up there might be no more Japan. "A country is only as good as her people" someone once said that to me.
You have presented a fascinating and very informative video. I learned a lot about seppuku. I was one of those ignorant foreigners who thought that the tradition of seppuku influenced modern day Japanese attitudes about the desirability to “take responsibility” for their perceived failures by ending their lives. On a superficial level it sounded reasonable. But after watching your video, I see how mistaken I was. Thank you for setting me straight!
I have a request for a future topic: the forest of Aokigahara and the tradition of suicide associated with it. Also the connection of the forest with ubasute and the haunting of the forest by the yurei.
I have always admired the Japanese people for the respect they show the elderly. That is why I have difficulty reconciling a tradition of taking elderly family members to a remote area and leaving them to die.
Surprised RUclips hasn't taken this video down considering they pretend it doesn't happen.
Mad respect for you to cover this subject despite the risk. 🙇♂️
I genuinely love your channel! And thank you so much for putting conclusions at the end. Helps a lot! :)
Shogo Son, keep training. You're definitely one of my heroes.
You explain delicate subjects with such grace. Thank you for sharing this knowledge.
A good conclusion to this fragile and sad topic, well handled and informative content.
Hey Shogo, thank you for this very informative video!
It makes me sad to see such high suicide rates among the young japanese folks...
I think the first thing Japan needs to work on is mental health. It needs to immediately stop stigmatizing mental ilnesses like depression and it needs to be able to provide professional, competent care. From there, you work towards having a healthier upbringing, school environment, and work culture.
I just realized the irony that the country that invented bushido, which I believe is all about mastering one's internal emotions, has become one that ignores mental health.
I had no idea about the soul residing in the stomach. I'd always just assumed that choosing such a difficult and painful injury to inflict on oneself was a sign of sincerity in whatever belief drove the person to it.
I'm also delighted that you refer to mental health simply as a health problem. Here in America, we treat mental health as being both separate from and lesser than "real" health, as if the brain isn't part of the body too. Is seeing mental health as being valid as bodily health a common Japanese attitude, or am I misunderstanding your intent?
I knew someone who committed suicide by burning himself alive with gasoline. Some people just want to die, others also want to make a point.
I wonder how the stomach soul thing is connected to the second brain being in the gut theory we now have. There are recent research that show how our gut microflora influence our thinking and how our brain regulates our body. Even traditional western thought believes that intuition resides in the stomach and that is why one should listen to it.
@@theshriekinghominin1760
The way I see it is that every part of the body is directly or indirectly connected to every other part of the body through the nervous system & the circulatory system at the least. When something hurts or disturbs any part of the body bad enough, not only will the brain notice, but other parts of the body will react as well (think system shock or overload for mechanical & electrical systems & overflow for data base systems & programming).
@@19Pyrus70 pancreas immobilized you from biology to martial art teacher answer
@@chicxulub2947 the rare one tho is the hang himself of the wakizashi dude who stab a man in a podium of a politikal partj it's even in yt respect there tho he could gone Chapman like the agent who pilot the way the eastern front ensues
Thank you for dispelling the myths about suicide culture in Japan. I am glad that the rates have decreased and I hope that they continue to do so.
I appreciate the sympathetic takes in this video and the comments.
The best way I've heard suicide being described is a permanent solution to a temporary problem
Thank you for talking about deep social issues about your culture!
Thank you for this. I wish you success, more people need to hear this.
I agree with Shogo on the fact that Harakiri culture is not a valuable explanation why many Japanese people commit suicide nowadays, but it's still interesting to notice the difference between Japanese culture (where suicide has been historically accepted mainly as a mean to show loyalty or innocence) and Western culture (where it was considered a sin by Christians).
I love how u brought up the negative aspect about japan without making japan looks bad. Thanks for teaching us more about japan.
I really love your conclusions. It reinforced the overall message of the video.
Keep this up sensei. 👍
Shogo somehow has a way of explaining something so an infant could understand without the tiniest bit of belittling
Hallo Shogo. Thank you for an interesting, however somewhat tragic, video. Wishing you all the best with your endeavours. From Olifantsfontein in South Africa.
Man your videos are awesome and easily understandable
The dead cannot speak for themselves. Thank you for taking the time to learn and to teach why this is happening.
This is such an important topic. I hope you don’t get demonetized for tackling this topic. BTW, you’re not too far from your goal of 1M subscribers…
Such a difficult topic but very well explained. Thanks Shogo
How this only has a quarter million views is crazy. This is a very serious topic
Shogo, you are my Sensei. I think you are a very sophisticated and creative person and your videos fill my imagination. Thank you for your beautiful and thoughtful work and thoughts, I am very grateful to you.
I really like the way you handle this. I’ll definitely share this as an important perspective in the future. Especially to Westerners.
I hope you have major success working with the group in Kyoto. Sometimes people just need to slow down, take a deep breath and focus on your own mental health. Everything will get better. The best way I turned around my outlook on life is by changing my lifestyle. I chose to follow minimalism and decided to go cruelty free with the things I buy. I took up reading as another hobby. I enjoy just losing myself in a book and letting my brain think at its own pace while sitting outside of a cafe. I encourage everyone to try the same. Close your eyes and just listen to the wind blowing or watch the trees and flowers for a while.
Support groups are important. Friends, community, community clubs etc. Those who appear lonely when surrounded by people are bad but worst are the ones pretending to be OK and hardest to figure. I hope the world will grow healthier post covid.
I’m glad the RUclips algorithm gods put you in my feed. S tier work.
I am all for a lecture series about this topic.
Very interesting those facts! Thanks again for great info, Shogo-san 😊👍
I'm starting to love this channel as you handle subjects with honesty but also respect
Alot of channels even those owned by Westerns are very hypocritical because of politics, beliefs or just ego
Suicide is also the leading cause of death in young people 20-34 in the U.K.
The absence of hope is such a terrible thing. How tragic.
Great video and explanation , i learned alot thank you for the information and the dedication i respect you