crime

Man attempts suicide after apparently hanging disabled daughter in public restroom

53 Comments

Police said Monday that a man was found bleeding from his abdomen and his daughter hanged in a public restroom in Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture.

According to police, the 54-year-old man, who has been named as Ikuro Kenmochi, was seriously injured and his disabled daughter, 9-year-old Saki, was dead when they were discovered in the restroom in Oba Castle Park shortly after 11 a.m. Sunday, Fuji TV reported.

Police believe Kenmochi attempted to commit suicide by cutting open his abdomen after hanging his daughter. Investigators said that Kenmochi sent an email to his wife shortly before the incident in which he told her he was worried about their daughter's future, Fuji reported.

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53 Comments
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Spanisheyes37

I apologize if I sounded crass. Bi-polar is a tough one and I'v seen it first hand as well. I do pray that everyday you find strength.

Tmarie: I'm not saying it is depression for sure, but what I said was there is not enough in the article for me to determine. If it were depression, I could understand how if left untreated or unsupported his daughter's state may have led him to the actions he took. That is not to say his actions were right.

Tahoochi: There is no justification for murder, taking a life, but depression can do that to someone in its worst form. Society as a whole is not compassionate enough to the needs of those who suffer from it, and if left alone, these are the unfortunate consequences in its worst possible outcome.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I cannot vouch that I would not have done the same thing, if only to save him/her from being all alone when his/her parents would no longer be around...

Again, FightingViking, that just does not sound like an acceptable answer to me when there might be even the slightest possibility that the disabled child could be happy. That's the obligation of a parent isn't it? Not to end their child's chance at happiness. Anyways, I guess we should just agree to disagree on this one.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Although the details are not given, many people refer to "depression" and, in fact, that could very easily be the reason in this case however, I also believe despair can be a very strong reason. For those who condemn this father it seems you have plenty of imagination so why not try to put yourself in his place? Personally, have two perfectly healthy children but if one of them had been born severely disabled, I cannot vouch that I would not have done the same thing, if only to save him/her from being all alone when his/her parents would no longer be around...

1 ( +1 / -0 )

There are lots of literature about societies that, like Japan, encourages the "weaker" to exit the society in an accelerated manner in order to preserve the "unity".

Too bad they are all dystopic science fiction.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Only those that are not strong-willed suffer depression. I've endured a lot of things from witnessing my grandmother's death with my own eyes, my father hitting me and my mother, him cheating on my mom, uncle sick with HIV because he cheated on my aunt

@Kanade

Sorry to hear about your troubles, but you're dead wrong about depression if you think it's necessarily caused by bad stuff happening. It's due to a chemical imbalance in the brain, it's often in the sufferer's genetic make-up and it's got nothing at all with being weak or strong. That's why it can happen to all types of people and, equally, why they can often be cured by the same medication, however "strong" or" weak" they are.

If it's something you can just "snap out of", it's not depression; it's just feeling unhappy. Whole world of difference.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Depression is just the result of weakness and subconscious desire to be showered with self-loathing, so to speak.

No matter what you call it. Only those that are not strong-willed suffer depression. I've endured a lot of things from witnessing my grandmother's death with my own eyes, my father hitting me and my mother, him cheating on my mom, uncle sick with HIV because he cheated on my aunt. Maybe it's not as horrible as other people have it, but I managed to become what I am and live where I am now only thanks to myself. I don't respect people that put themselves down and take others down with them.

So I can't take the excuse for this murder as depression.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Tragic story. I have friends who have a serious mentally and physically handicapped daughter who is now about 37, their only child, and the parents are in their early 70s. The daughter requires strong medical sedation daily to control seizures, and must be fed, medicated, cleaned after toilet visits, and bathed by the parents. Fortunately, the husband is a medical professional and they have some financial means; nevertheless, the unspoken but unavoidable thought I have when I visit them is, what will become of the child when the parent become too old to care for her. It is certainly inspirational and heart warming to see their dedication to their child. This article describes a real tragedy, and it made me immediate think of my friends' situations; but it's difficult for me to pass judgement on Mr. Kenmochi. It is just one of those extremely unfortunate situations that befall people.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Depression? The latest statistics show 60% of Japanese adults suffer from it. Therefor, how can you blame depression for this most selfish act. Does that mean that 60% of Japanese people could kill their kids and themselves? Possibly, but unlikely. Sadly, I fear this was more related to a cold society where death is seen as a reprieve from the vigours of Japanese life.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@magpie Yes, I have seen depression in it's worse form. I suffer from bipolar disorder as well as depression. But I didn't go out and kill anyone or ever wanted to harm my children.

I know what it's like to wake up every day wanting to die or have moments when you think you're in a black hole and thinking you can't get out. Or thinking you're worthless. At my worst, not eating or bathing for days. But mostly, my thoughts were harm to myself,not to others. Even in my darkest moments,never, EVER, did I think of harming another human being. I still knew the difference between right and wrong.

I can understand schizophrenia ,where a person cannot help doing what they do because they hallucinate or have voices in their head. But this guy didn't seem to suffer from that. He was selfish to take another life and make a half-hearted attempt to kill himself.

Poor little girl, she didn't deserve to go out like that. All children ask of us is to be loved and taken care of. And she was betrayed in the cruelest of ways by the person who was to protect her. I hope her dad does time in jail. As this is Japan, he may plead insanity and get off light. But the child deserves some kind of justice.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Magpie & FightingViking: I realize that it is close to impossible for somebody who doesn't suffer from depression, to understand depression. What I don't understand is, according to FightingViking and some other people's comments, this particular case is somehow different from all of those other murder-suicide cases (in fact, there was one not even a week ago about a mother who killed her 3 children and herself) because the child was disabled? That doesn't make any sense to me.

Actually, I agree that we should have 'compassion' as FightingViking states, for these obviously depressed parents, and I've also said before on a different thread that the Government needs to provide more psychological and financial support and treat this issue as if it were an epidemic, but that in no way justifies what these parents have done, and it also makes no difference whatsoever whether or not the child(ren) were disabled. I say this because unfortunately, every parent in all of these previous murder-suicide cases obviously were depressed enough and had their reasons for killing their child (not that those reasons were acceptable), so who are we to say that we should be more compassionate for someone with a disabled child?

But again, I'd like to point out that killing your child to 'prevent his/her suffering' should not even be an option for someone who chose to be a parent in the first place. Even if they suffer from depression. Even if the child is disabled. No matter what. I guess that's all I wanted to say. Sorry for the long post.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

serendipitous

es, he obviously was rather stressed out and no doubt depressed about his (and maybe his family's) situation but why did he have to hang his 9-year-old daughter in a public place?

Depression, extreme anxiety and stress (and perhaps a combination of all 3) robs a person of clear and rational thought. It completely distorts perception. I think unless you have been through that and managed to navigate your way out the other side without harming yourself, or others, you can't really understand the capacity the human body has to betray the basic functions of everyday life. This stroy is tragic. It's a story of the frailty of the human condition and the terrible consequences that arise from the pressures of life leading someone to crack and fall completely apart. I feel really sorry for both of them.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Tahooch:i but as long as people choose to have children, shouldn't they be responsible to do everything in their power to make the children happy? (as opposed to conforming to society's 'norm'?) It shouldn't be about 'how society will accept my child', but rather, 'what can I do to ensure my child is happy'

That's exactly my point! Of course there is not enough information concerning the severity of her disability but if I had a child who had serious disabilties I would be really worried about his/her future in ANY country. What kind of happiness could a seriously disabled child hope to find - especially after his/her loving parents die and leave the child to fend for him/herself?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Where are you guys getting all this depression information from? There has been numerous cases of parents "mercy" killing their children who were fine with regards to depression. Unless there is a mention of it somewhere, why are people jumping to this assumption as an excuse to okay this??

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I am shocked to read this horrible story. A wrong person is dead.

Japan is going down the hill very quickly at100 mil/hr..

While Japan was enjoying economic prosperity in the past, this nation moved forward without morale/moral teaching in humanity..

Some leaders in Japanese society have been sending a wrong message to society. They can steal, cheat, lie and they have been getting away with murder. There is a cause and effect in life. We are challenged to do the right thing for ourself, others and society every minutes and every second. Japanese used to know this golden rule in life very well, but lately it has been forgotten. This is a right time to raise question again what is important in life. What are they? Love ,compassion, respect ourself and others, ethics and courage are essential elements for a trace of character. While what we accomplish in life is not that important, but what we are is.

Let's start teaching our children the right message to be a law abiding citizen in society, so that we can avoid this horrible story like this in the future. Let's try to be a mentor or a role model in society for our children. We all need to start from there. It is not that hard to do.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Depression can be a serious illness. Depending on the depth and severity of depression it can be devastating to the person concerned and family, friends around. I truly only believe that someone who has managed to live through a serious bout of this insidious illness could possibly understand how dark and terrifying it is. The afflicted have no control over the severity of the illness. It doesn't come with a plan that you sign up to be ill only to a certain stage ( the stage just before you kill yourself or others) and then recover. I don't condone what this gentleman did but to do what he did smacks of pure desperation and hopelessness.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Tahoochi

shouldn't they be responsible to do everything in their power to make the children happy? (as opposed to conforming to society's 'norm'?)

Forgive me for pounding on this point, you're right about "everything in their power" but when depressed in a serious manner, you have no power. It is truly a senseless void. You feel helpless do anything. I've seen people who can't even get out of bed from their depression. Not intending to sound like a joke (some mornings I can't get out of bed for all the wrong reasons!), but truly when depressed, they are in a powerless state so overcome by this sense of helplessness.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Serendepitious,

I don't know the answer is all I can say. I'm not here to judge the man as I know too little of the situation. I think if I hadn't seen depression or heard it explained to me by someone who has, I think I would've passed judgement quickly. All I know is that people who do suffer from depression and do not receive care or support have often had little success in beating the disease back (and yes I do think it is a disease). Maybe he hoped that someone would stop him? I don't know.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Another week..another innocent child, this is stupid. I remember seeing documentary of kids with spinal bifda etc there, but nothing would make me want to hurt those kids no matter what, that's sickening man no soul whatsoever.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Tamara

thank you for your kind words. Depressions is without a doubt the most frightening thing to watch. Society doesn't tend to understand or I should say too few do. Those hat suffer, feel the stigma even in this modern day and in "Westernized" societies or so we call them. I can't judge why this father did such, but I don't think (or at least I hope) that no parent is capable of doing such without remorse.

If depression were the cause, may her death not be meaningless and may people realize that we are not all strong and impermeable, but that we do need care and support. All of us in more ways than we know.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

SpanishEyez37

I really hate the excuse that ''depression'' made someone kill their child

Have you ever seen depression in its worst form? Have you suffered from depression? I hate to say this, but if you haven't think twice before making such a comment. We all hate it when death and suicide happens. I pray to god depression is a state that none of us will ever see, as the way it consumes someone into pitch darkness is frightening. As terrible as it sounds, if that were the case that the father suffered such, I pray that he may someday overcome it and find a means to make amends with himself. The reality is he would be consumer with the guilt for life I suspect.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Apparently, you're not a very compassionate person... How do you know the father didn't suffer from seeing his daughter who could be in an irreversable condition? Do you have children of your own with disabilities? If so, don't you suffer to see their misery and the way they are generally ostracized in this country? And what of their future when they no longer have either father or mother to take care of them? Don't you think that just maybe it could have been out of compassion that this father put an end to his daughter's suffering...?

So you think it is okay for parents of disabled children to kill their kids? I don't. I feel for the mom. I guess that isn't enough compassion for you. Whatever.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

FightingVikingMay. 28, 2012 - 09:48PM JST

...don't you suffer to see their misery and the way they are generally ostracized in this country?

FightingViking: Then move to a different country. I get what you're saying, and I really do feel for people who are in a situation like this father, but as long as people choose to have children, shouldn't they be responsible to do everything in their power to make the children happy? (as opposed to conforming to society's 'norm'?) It shouldn't be about 'how society will accept my child', but rather, 'what can I do to ensure my child is happy'.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Geez! What a strange story.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Ah yes, Japan, such a $$$$ rich $$$$$ country, but spiritually just as poor as North Korea, when oh when will people open their eyes and understand the real value of human life, I feel very sorry for this poor little girl, but I am sure the life of the father must be a living hell.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

@tmarie

Apparently, you're not a very compassionate person... How do you know the father didn't suffer from seeing his daughter who could be in an irreversable condition? Do you have children of your own with disabilities? If so, don't you suffer to see their misery and the way they are generally ostracized in this country? And what of their future when they no longer have either father or mother to take care of them? Don't you think that just maybe it could have been out of compassion that this father put an end to his daughter's suffering...?

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Magpie and tamarama

Yes, he obviously was rather stressed out and no doubt depressed about his (and maybe his family's) situation but why did he have to hang his 9-year-old daughter in a public place? If people decide to kill their own families for whatever reason, surely there are far more painless and less shocking ways to do it than what this man did. Perhaps he won't regret what he did, either. Who knows? Who cares? Not exactly sure how you punish him either. He obviously wants to die so, as someone mentioned above, maybe we should just let him live (alone in a small room for a long time).

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Do insurance companies pay out for suicides??? They shouldn't!!

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

This is one of those situations where it would have been better to just close the restroom door and come back in 3 hours, when the father was dead. Then the mother would at least get the insurance money

0 ( +0 / -0 )

How about a little compassion instead?

You mean the same he afforded his daughter? You're right, we don't know what the disability was but sorry, killing your child and then trying to off yourself is just plain selfish. Of course, dad won't be charged with murder and this crap will continue. I feel for mom. She's now probably going to be stuck in a life of poverty (if she was a SAHM) having to live with the fact that her bonehead husband thought it best to kill her daughter and off himself.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

Magpie

That's a good post. It's very easy for the internet specialists to cast judgements and deride the man, but it takes a bit of perspective, maturity and life experience to think a bit more broadly about things like this. I like your work.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

We do not kow the severity of the disability - what we DO know is that disabilities - whether they be physical or, even more especially, mental - are frowned upon in Japan. I feel it difficult to judge other peoples' reaction to despair. Condemning someone when one has never been in the same kind of situation oneself seems a little extreme. How about a little compassion instead?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Japanese society will pat itself on the back and say how compassionate it is not to demonise those who go down the murder-suicide road. The endless cavalcade of such stories however is a powerful rebuke and indictment of a society that cynically sees no benefit in having even a modicum of empathy and compassion towards those who exit this way.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

In a society that frowns upon helping and receiving help, this daughter had no chance of surviving.

Stupidest comment of the week. Disabled people's life is not ideal in Japan (and in where do you come from ?), but they live, and they receive lifelong support.

I can only imagine how difficult it is to raise a child with a disability

I agree, but he didn't have to raise her. He could have let the child to foster care, or more likely to her mother, if that was too much a burden for himself. But like in most such cases, he did not sit down at a table and decided anything. He broke a fuse.

Japanese people do not understand depression.

People of which country understand ?

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Although what this guy did is diplorable, I can only imagine how difficult it is to raise a child with a disability (though we know not of the severity)..... what is the appropriate punishment in such a case? Hard to say. Can:t help but feel that if a few more doors were open as a society, that this might have been avoided? A very difficult and tragic case.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I really hate the excuse that ''depression'' made someone kill their child.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Another week in a row, another poor child taken before their time... So sad. RIP.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

This country is going down at a fast clip these days...........

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Why in a public restroom!?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Poor child. Instead of caring about her, he was only thinking about himself

That's a pretty bold statement from somebody who (I assume) knew neither the man or the girl in question. There's a saying about walking a mile in someone's shoes before criticising them....

6 ( +7 / -1 )

heartbreaking... so sad also for the mother

6 ( +5 / -0 )

Once again, the child dies, the parent fails to commit suicide. successfully. Is it just me or it's at least the 4th case of a parent killing their kid for the past two weeks?

This is ridiculous. This father was just another weak coward.

Poor child. Instead of caring about her, he was only thinking about himself.

-1 ( +3 / -5 )

can't blame him, escpecially considering the discrimination and complete ostracism of disabled "especially mentally' people in this country. In a society that frowns upon helping and receiving help, this daughter had no chance of surviving.

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

@ JapanGal:

What was the handicap?

Probably a lack of any support from the government. The stigma involved in asking for help and the frowns and lack of compassion towards anyone with a disability.

I hate what he has done, but we have no idea of the psychological torment or financial stress he and his family have been through.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

I've learned not to judge people through my own faults. it is deeply unfortunate as to what happened and I can only offer my prayers for the little girl. The father will have to know and live with the consequences of his action which will no doubt eat into him foer the rest of his life.

The article is short and does not give a clear picture. What kind of disability did she have? What was the father's own state? What did the mother do all along? The reason i ask is that I wonder if the father was so depressed 9ie medically in depresssion) that he could see no alternative. For those of us who have not experienced it or seen it first hand, depression is one of the most worrying illnesses. I have been told that it's like you have a box or a book in your mind/brain (ie the thought of suicide or giving up). Once that box is opened or the book is read, you cannot stop and it draws you so far inside that you cannot stop. Everyday you think about that box/book. it occupies your mind 24/7. There are days when you dthink but don't open/read it, and there are days when you will give in.

Peer support is critically important as it often takes someone to help close that thought and banish it away. Thus I ask what was the mother like. My experiencehas been that Japanese people do not understand depression. They see the issue and fear the taboos around the subject. it is real and it is a pity.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

What was the handicap?

-4 ( +3 / -8 )

I will never agree with these selfish parents, but I do understand that they live in a so called developed nation. Yet unfortunately, the nation (government) offers similar levels of compassion and empathy as North Korea does to the welfare of it's citizens.

Come on J-Gov, wake up and please start to provide welfare and support services that are genuine and offers want desperate parents need in times of physical, emotional and financial hardship.

Until then, in my opinion you are no different to North Korea... OTT? Maybe, but you get my point?

4 ( +8 / -4 )

So the man has been arrested? I'm guessing. Its not very clear. If he has then, I hope they watch him to prevent him from trying to take his own life again. Best punishment for him now is to force him to live.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Maybe it's time for Japan to have a national campaign. Classes in schools, AKB48 and SMAP creatively showing why living is better than suicide, and killing your family. Anything. But this is too bad.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

How could you even do this? Hanging your own child? It just beggars belief.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

How ever we all may have an opinion, it'a all a mirror of what kind of world we live in.

-4 ( +4 / -7 )

Wrong person died. RIP little girl.

7 ( +7 / -1 )

Worried about his daughter's future? Seems he was more worried about his own future!

6 ( +8 / -1 )

A$$hole. (Pardon my German.)

-8 ( +2 / -10 )

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