23-year-old police officer dies after shooting himself in head in koban in Ibaraki

I am sensing there are some problems within the police departments across Japan as this has happened several times recently. Bullying comes to mind. I see the sempai kohai bullying all the time in the work place.

If I were into conspiracy theories I would say that there is something fishy with all these apparent cop suicides.

You must be into conspiracy theories then, because you did just say that.

Again!?

Why there are so many suicides in Japan? I think the government needs to address this issue. This is a national disgrace and must be address urgently.

Why there are so many suicides in Japan?

That's easy: many people are miserable. Japan is not a society fostering or promoting any values that to most people are essential happiness, individuality, good work-life balance, etc.)

Why there are so many suicides in Japan? I think the government needs to address this issue.

The government has been, and is addressing this issue. They put out a white paper every year, and it appears something may be working insofar as the suicide rate has been dropping each year since 2012 (http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/06/03/national/suicides-down-fourth-straight-year).

That's easy: many people are miserable. Japan is not a society fostering or promoting any values that to most people are essential happiness, individuality, good work-life balance, etc.)

This is an overly simplistic explanation. And it's not entirely correct either - Japan as a society does promote many values to most people that are essential for happiness. It fails in some regards - the ones you mentioned - but your claim that it does not promote any values that are essential for happiness is incorrect.

Um, not another one.

@MyJT2014

Why there are so many suicides in Japan? I think the government needs to address this issue. This is a national disgrace and must be address urgently.

This is a valid question. Having lived here a long time, and fought with my own demons, the biggest issue is that Japanese see depression & other mental health issues as a sign of weakness. A weakness of character which one must gaman because the everyday stresses in Japanese society (of which there are a never-ending list of) are simply shoganai.

Until this mindset has been completely removed, things will never change. It will take generations, like every other serious problem in Japanese society.

There are far too many instances like this in Japan.

I was drunk and don't remember any....

The first step would be to make suicide illegal, like it is in the US. Most Japanese are law-abiding so this could save lives.

the biggest issue is that Japanese see depression & other mental health issues as a sign of weakness.

All the while some displays of lunacy are highly desirable, ala Japanese television

Guns just don't go off, especially when they are in there holsters, my son who is a bit of a geek when it comes to guns, says that there is no way a modern gun will go off, even if it drops out of his pocket/holster, with a modern gun your finger has to pull the trigger for it to fire, the only one that might is a remington 1911 which is not all that good because the safety lock is not that good. can any one tell me what type of gun is issued to the J cops?

Rip, many don't understand mental illness. Hope he found peace.

Ban life insurance payouts for suicides.

And no investigation?

@ Bongoboy - do you think making it illegal will stop people?? It was decriminalised in Australia many years ago, I'd say many other countries wouldn't classify it as an offence.

@Brian - fair to say it was by his own hand. Don't think there is any evidence based on the article of foul play and yes, most modern firearms don't just 'go off' unless the trigger is pulled.

I do agree with others that the country needs to address this as a matter of urgency, it seems to happen far too often.

RIP, hope his family is supported

The first step would be to make suicide illegal, like it is in the US. Most Japanese are law-abiding so this could save lives.

Making it illegal is somewhat an over simplification. There are many complex issues as to why people commit suicide and people who are suicidal and have mental health problems don't really think about the legality of it.

As sighclops stated

Having lived here a long time, and fought with my own demons, the biggest issue is that Japanese see depression & other mental health issues as a sign of weakness. A weakness of character which one must gaman because the everyday stresses in Japanese society (of which there are a never-ending list of) are simply shoganai.

Also having gone through a horrible divorce with two young children, this shoganai and ganbatte attitude really must change.

if your going to top your self, making it illegal seems pretty pointless and will they be bothered if they are very depressed anyway?