12-year-old girl dies after fall from building in Akita

and have not ruled out possibility of a suicide

Why would a 12 year old go and off herself?

The Akita Board of Education said that Monday was the final day of the girl’s summer holiday.

bullying issues at school perhaps?

Depression can be experienced by children, even small children younger than 12.

Sad to think it might have been intentional. Kids that age still deal with things in only "black and white". They haven't yet learned that the world is full of "greys".

WTF is going on? When will someone with some influence or backbone stand up and admit that a high percentage of the J society has a huge problem in tackling/coping with stress related issues? I think a major independent review/overhaul of the education and social services sector is way overdue. Please, will someone with some balls please stand up and implement the steps required to prevent these tragic deaths....

suicide

The pressures of returning to junior high with incomplete summer homework. It's a suicide for sure.

When will someone with some influence or backbone stand up and admit that a high percentage of the J society has a huge problem in tackling/coping with stress related issues?

Could it be that the majority of these suicides are caused either directly or indirectly through the systemic intimidation of people who don't conform to the group, and the pressure to fit in. Teasing and bulling are rampant in the schools and offices throughout Japan, and it doesn't stop there, neighborhood groups also function in these covert and conspiratorial ways, often breaking the law to achieve their intimidation. The victim usually has no where to turn to as the police, and community leaders often turn a blind eye, or even participate in the intimidation.

I just want to share this. I, myself is a mother to a 5-year old. My daughter goes to a J Hoikuen (kindergarden), and I am worried my daughter is getting bullied in school. A boy, her classmate often pinch her arm, and recently tells her that whenever/wherever he sees me ("your gaijin mom" -the way he says it to my child), he's going to hurt me and kill me. This bothers my daughter so much, and she wouldn't let me go in her school in the morning. And she says she hopes I could wear something else so her bad classmate wouldn't recognize me. As a foreigner, I just don't know how put myself together, and talk to the teachers and tell them what's going on. A lot of suicidal acts of children in Japan did start from bullying, but no one is taking it seriously. They're all acting as if it's okay.

You know, I really hated the end of summer break...but not that much.

Regarding the article, I assume the loud scream was from the girl who fell/jumped? Do people usually scream whem jumping to their death? I guess some might but it would seem a bit strange. Perhaps she was thrown.

englishteacher: being bullied at 5 years old is better than at a later age I think because kids can generally get over such things at a younger age. Having said that, I still think you should try to talk to the teachers and/or principal. Keep track of the dates and times you talk to them and, if nothing is done and nothing changes, you can report the kindergarten to the Ministry of Education. I am sure there is a way. Bullying is bad publicity for schools and kindergartens.

Moderator: Readers, please do not focus the discussion on bullying as there is no suggestion that the girl was bullied.

I also find it strange that he heard a scream. Was this the girl or a bystander? It's exceedingly rare for a child so young to commit suicide as they usually don't have the mental ability to consider that an option. However, accidents with children falling are far more common. And the screaming by the girl would be explained as well.

What in the world could have happened to that child

It's exceedingly rare for a child so young to commit suicide as they usually don't have the mental ability to consider that an option.

this is an incorrect assumption. These children are bought up in a country where suicide is constantly being flung in their faces. They know exactly what suicide is, but probably not how the consequences would affect others but in saying that, people who opt for suicide don't give a damn about anyone else.

Englishteacher, is your husband Japanese? Get him to take the morning off, get your daughter to point out the kid that is doing this, and get your husband to make a big fuss. it just needs your husband to do it. Although the 'nail that stick out gets knocked in' in Japan, it is also very much a case of 'survival of the fittest' here. Don't let this continue for a moment longer. Make a fuss. It will be sorted.