A 12-year-old girl died after apparently jumping from an apartment building in Oita City on Monday night.
According to police, the girl was found lying in the parking lot in front of the building at around 7:15 p.m., Fuji TV reported. A resident called 110.
The girl was taken to hospital where she died at around 8:40 p.m., police said.
Police said the girl did not live in the apartment building and believe she jumped from the stairwell of one of the higher floors in the 10-story building. Some of her personal belongings were found at the spot from where she jumped.
© Japan Today
31 Comments
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Yubaru
Yet another life lost unnecessarily. RIP young one, you will be missed by your family and friends! I wish them peace!
Norman Goodman
It is sad that society does not and will not recognize what even certain 12 year olds are going through, especially girls. Society is a great bully toward those who are in a minority and are "different" and I cannot even explain vital details lest I be also be singled out. Of course I don't know her specific troubles but just stating a general truth.
Vince Black
For those with kids in Japan, no matter their age, encourage them to talk to you about their problems and be forever vigilant toward warning signs that something might be troubling them. Something, unfortunalty, Japan is lacking in
Wesley
I think Japanese kids need to be hugged more by their parents.
Rest In Peace, young one.
WilliB
Dont say it is bullying again. So sad.
Luddite
The new school year has just started, I don't think the timing of this tragic death is a coincidence.
Herosee Reinhart
Just what is it that the assumption suicide or harassment is based on?
The article gives no indication it was either. She may have just...fell off. Accidents happen.
Herosee Reinhart
Norman, was this girl a minority? Or just...a minor? I am not surprised you can't explain. You claim to sate a general truth, but that general truth is far from the truth. Most kids in Japan don't commit suicide, and most do not "suffer from what (ever!) they are going through." They are just like kids anywhere. They go through weird puberty, and for better or worse, grow up. It is not unique for Japan.
rcch
another one... sighs (Japan) what to do, what to do...
rcch
@Herosee Reinhart
you should know that being a kid in Japan is not exactly the same as in for example Europe or USA...
oldman_13
There is an epidemic of very young people committing suicide around the world. Young people have even live streamed their own suicides. Social media and the internet have been terrible in influencing these young minds.
Norman Goodman
12 is rather young to be killing herself, don't you think? Suicide tends to be a thing more for middle and late teens. And when a 12 year old girl kills herself, I tend to think its because she is facing the same troubles mid to late teens are facing...only worse because, since she is only 12, she is even less likely to be recognized as having those problems. In fact, what I usually see is people just expecting such girls to just conform to their peers' levels...as if the clock can be turned back just by praying. Sorry not to be more clear. Use your imagination. Like I say, just stating the facts can get me branded just for noticing.
Norman Goodman
Its that and so very much more. I think its less the direct effect of the social media and the internet and more the indirect effect of less real, constant, consistent, deep, meaningful and even physical contact with people. Basic human needs are not being met.....and most people are too thick to guide their children toward the real....I imagine partly out of the stupid fear that something REAL might happen. Yeah. Get them off the internet and get them hanging out with friends and GIVE LIFE A CHANCE!
mmwkdw
Possibly the pressures of the Junior High School entrance exams, or maybe pressures of school - we will never know, but it's a concern for all Parents here in Japan. I feel sorry for the Parents of the Girl involved, and never wish to be in the same situation.
serendipitous1
Luddite
The new school year in Japan starts in April......not September.
Kobe White Bar Owner
@vince black
Wise words mate, right on the money. We have a " what was the enjoyable/what was tough around the table kind of thing, make it fun a silly but sometimes serious leaving the door open to expression which is sadly lacking here. Heart breaking to think how alone she must have felt to go to such a extreme, Japans "indoctrination system needs a serious overhall imo.
Children should be seen and heard!
RIP litttle one.
Luddite
Yeah, I know. I meant to type term.
My point still stands though.
smithinjapan
Let me guess.... she was being bullied, the school and BOE will say they had no idea, the parents will say they had called the school about it several times and spoken to the teachers, the teachers will bow and apologize, the BOE will vow to be more transparent and not tolerate any bullying... rinse and repeat.
Of course, we really don't know, but I'm going on the many, far too many, past instances of the same thing.
macv
Japanese gov't officials are imbeciles dinosaurs from another era have no idea or capability of dealing with present day challenges, these types of sad occurrences will continue until those old geezers die or get out of power
Reese
Article lacking quite a bit of validated info.
doel jusino
I hope this is not another case of being Bullied at school.
Brian Wheway
Its a shame no one noticed her change in moods and spotted the early signs of depression or other reasons, you have to very low and depressed to end your life. very sad.
Chip Star
Tragic.
Melissa Shimosato
RIP.... Who did she go to the building to see??? Because she should not have been allowed on any floor beyond the lobby without building security calling the tenant she was there to see. Where is building security???
Strangerland
What country are you living in? How many buildings in Japan have real-time security monitoring of all the floors in a building, with on-site security to go check it out?
RareReason
Don't be stupid.
Or do you think the solution to this continuing problem is locking all stairwells, installing impenetrable fences along train tracks and roads, banning the sale of charcoal, collecting all spare medication, forbidding the presence of anything sharp in the home, banning the sale of rope and stools...
dabestsushi
I can't imagine what kind of pain she was in to want to take her life at such a young age. It feels like Japan doesn't do much about this problem. So sad.
doel jusino
For those who do not know not all residential buildings have a building security guard.
Strangerland
More accurately, almost none have them.
Disillusioned
Just a couple of weeks after school resumed from summer break. I'm quite sure there is a connection. The demands of junior high school in Japan are terrible. These kids go from elementary school, which is like a party every day into what basically amounts to a military prison with everybody telling you what to do and laying down laws of expectations. They dump so much homework and sports club responsibilities on these kids they have no life away from school. And all the while, they have to learn to cope with cultural bullying of the 'sempai/kohai' status. It should be no surprise Japan still has the largest youth suicide rate in the world.