The Japanese and Suicide.

[javaguru]

Why did so many Japanese commit suicide? They were raised with the code of Bushido. Under the code of Bushido a warrior did not surrender. It was said honor is as heavy as a mountain and life as light as a feather. The only way for a warrior to save his honor on surrender was to commit suicide. To surrender without suicide was to strip yourself of all honor and be worthless, which is one reason the Japanese treated prisoners so inhumanely. If a japanese soldier died in combat his family would receive a pension for life, if he surrendered they got nothing. Many of the highest ranking Japanese staff officers commited suicide upon the surrender of Japan to save their honor.

 

[jackangel]

Hey man, you can be my second any day.

 

[Nathan]

Could you re-phrase the question please?

 

[javaguru]

Yes, there was a thread with a derogatory topic title that was locked which I felt inclined to answer.

 

[2Thick]

Ironically, most western people have no idea what the word "honor" means.

 

[dainsleif]

Ironically, most western people have no idea what the word "honor" means.

If you mean "honor" as in "fanaticism so extreme that it would make Osama proud," you are absolutely right.

 

[plornive]

If you mean "honor" as in "fanaticism so extreme that it would make Osama proud," you are absolutely right.

That didn't make any sense.

On another note, I think one reason for a Japanese to commit suicide is high pressure --- there are no 2nd chances. And conformity leading to feelings of ostracism. Both of which could lead to dishonor, which kind of proves the point of this post. But who knows, I'm not Japanese.

The suicide rate of the US and Japan are very similar.

 

[bdog527]

The suicide rate of the US and Japan are very similar.

That is interesting. When you say the rate do you mean percentages relative to population or total number of suicides?

 

[dainsleif]

That didn't make any sense.

On another note, I think one reason for a Japanese to commit suicide is high pressure --- there are no 2nd chances. And conformity leading to feelings of ostracism. Both of which could lead to dishonor, which kind of proves the point of this post. But who knows, I'm not Japanese.

The suicide rate of the US and Japan are very similar.

I think you misunderstood me. I was referring to Japan's imperial years, and the nationalism that was present in Japan at the time.

 

[WarriorPL]

to them and the middle easteners... honor = suicide.

morons.