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16-year-old boy hit and killed by train in apparent suicide

17 Comments

A 16-year-old high school boy was hit and killed by a train in Nishi-Tokyo on Sunday afternoon in an apparent suicide.

According to police, the incident occurred at around 3 p.m. at Hoya Station on the Seibu Ikebukuro Line. Surveillance camera footage showed the boy jumping off the platform into the path of an express train, Sankei Shimbun reported. The boy was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Police said the boy’s parents told them he had recently been having trouble with classmates at his school. He left home at around 11 a.m. Sunday.

The incident delayed train services for 40 minutes, affecting about 22,000 commuters.

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17 Comments
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Unfortunately. If you are in the predicament which you can not control, and feel terrible sad and painful. Please quit such a silly school and get rid of your classmates like vipers from your life. Your life is yours. But You have only one of it. Please go away from your battlefield and rest for a while.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

As a Commuter, if you notice someone who is acting a bit suspiciously perhaps by seeming indecisively arguing with themselves, then whats the harm in notifying the ubiquitous platform attendant ? Getting personally involved could be dangerous, but you need to make that call yourself. Saving someone's Life, and preventing delays to the Network should at least grant your a Hero status! But sadly, people here don't want to get involved because by doing so, they may be seen as part of the problem....

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Lol at this comment section, it's all about people wanting to give their hot take on how the youth is too sensitive. Yeah I get it, you are tired of political correctness and progressive mindset, but I'm unsure whether it shows great empathy to rain down your sociopolitical opinions on deceased kids and victims of bullying as if that'll help anything.

People who say bullying is just part of growing up and builds character, or that they experienced bullying but got out fine so others should too, man, you sure sound like bullies yourself.

With that said, rest in peace to this child.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

How do you notice the Danger signs within a Teenager - their temperaments are normally volatile at that age, and the pressures of regular School tests are quite overwhelming here. So blaming the Parents is simply adding insult upon injury and you should be totally ashamed!

In Junior School the Kids at 11 are (if they've been going to Jyu-ku) way more advanced than their counterparts in the UK. Also, once they start Junior High, they often have to travel to far-flung locations from their home by Train (if their School is good) - maybe an hour or two per day, that can lead to additional stress in School life - particularly when involved in Sporting activities.

As for Bullying - yes that goes on within Japanese Schools just like elsewhere. Its not really dealt with here very well, but Japan is behind the times in many ways as we all know, and simply has it's own way of dealing with things (or not....)

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Sad situation all around.

"Schoolyard bullying" unfortunately is part of growing up - I experienced it on the receiving end. We can't stop everything and have our kids live in some sort of cocoon of eternal love peace and nothing will ever harm you. It's not realistic and it frankly teaches them how to deal with life. That said this article is sorely lacking in details.

Condolences to his family and the people that witnessed it.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

If stopping the bullying isn’t working, how about teaching coping skills to the bullied?

I really cannot understand the thought process that ends with the response to being picked on is to jump in front of a train.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Several years ago a study correlated excessive crowding into a confined space with increases in stress, aggression, and violent behavior. Another study correlated geographic areas with lithium naturally occurring in the drinking water with less aberrant and violent behavior than those areas deficient in lithium.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Hey, not every 16-year-old is a handsome Flamenco stud.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

My kids joined 1st grade at the local school only a few weeks ago, and already there seem to be established patterns of bullying. The teachers appear either powerless or unwilling to do anything. However, the parents are hooked up on social media and seem to be addressing the issues. Let's hope this works .....

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Hey! I was a competition ballroom dancer, star soccer player and a surfer when I was his age. Doing ballroom dancing also taught me how to fight. However, not once did I consider in the slightest to end my life. What is it that makes a 16 year old want to jump in front of a train? He has [had] his whole life in front of him. Sad! :-(

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

My extreme regret at this horrible news. I'm a young man and when I was diagnosed with schizophrenia plus social pressure I was edging (if that's correct in English), the most important is SEEK help kids. Your life values!

2 ( +3 / -1 )

I was beat up every day in first grade. Besides not ever using public toilets again, I have done well. One must learn to fight back.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

First term final exams start next week. I wonder how much that had to do with his decision to jump in front of a train. Poor kid! It's hard to imagine what pushes a 16 year old to end his life with a splat.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Ijimeru mondai again. Sad.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Teachers, family didn't notice anything strange? He was let down by a culture that doesn't seem to care or acknowledge mental illness

7 ( +10 / -3 )

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