Express train knocks suicide jumper back onto platform, injuring 3 people

This particular case is very sad and horrible, and Japan's suicide rate still remains much higher than it should, but the truth is that it's down by close to 30 percent over around 12 years, with suicides in all age groups except youths falling.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-japan-suicides/helping-listening-caring-japanese-prefecture-leads-dramatic-decrease-in-suicides-idUSKCN1RJ0QL

@Ian,

No, read the comments again, People are rightfully annoyed that he injured / risked the lives of others by committing suicide in the manner he did. Plus he made them witnesses to a horrific scene that will probably live with them forever.

Probably the greater tragedy is that people have become desensitized of these things. A person just killed himself and all so many dwell on is his selfishness. About how he didn't think that he would inconvenience people, didn't think it would possibly injure others.

The man killed himself. Killed himself.

And people get annoyed they were late for work.

I'm guessing he lost all his money in the stock market.

@sourpuss,

Only the more bizarre suicides are reported,the more mundane ones not.

Sad, but selfish. The victims need to be compensated by the dead man’s estate.

@ClippertClop,

I think what Euro Dude means is that suicides aren't reported about as often as they occur since they have become an everyday occurrence and that the powers in charge would rather have us believe that we are living in a Utopian world and therefore to try and prevent 'copy cat' episodes.

It isn't about reporting, it's about recording. 'Cause of death' is recorded in Japan as in most countries. He is claiming that when a a suicide is recorded, it is being recorded as something else. That implies that there is a national conspiracy by coroners to cover up suicides. I don't buy that, and there is no evidence for it. The suicide rate has been falling in Japan for years, it's now close to what it was 40 years ago before the economy burst.

I have worked past that dark part and I'm glad to say I've recovered, thanks to the Three F's: Friends, Family, and Farmaceuticals. It took a long time and it was tough and without support, both from family and from the medical system. Some people don't have NEARLY the support system I had and just getting SEEN by someone who can help is often a months-long ordeal, if it can even be afforded at all. Nothing makes things worse than teetering on the edge and then being told you won't be able to see a psychiatrist for 6 months because of waiting lists. Suicidal people are people in immediate crises and need access to support ASAP. The more services we as a society can make available, the better for everyone. Suicide has a cost not just to the person who ends their lives and their immediate family, but as this article shows, a cost to people arounds tehm and society as a whole.

I am glad you’re doing better and I mean that sincerely, I have dealt with people that went through very deep bouts of heavy depression and I tried to do whatever I could to steer them off the path of doing something regrettable, but as you say, I was an outsider and even though I can show compassion and empathy, I just don’t know what a person is going through with these struggles, I just don’t have that kind of expertise find the root cause to help these people. You can only do so much, one of my friends did finally seek out help and went through a long struggle, is on certain meds and counseling, but this individual is taking one day at a time and I can see great improvements and the future does look promising. All I can say is, I’m happy you’re making progress, there’s so much good in life, I sincerely hope you continue to make progress.

@bass4funk

I have worked past that dark part and I'm glad to say I've recovered, thanks to the Three F's: Friends, Family, and Farmaceuticals. It took a long time and it was tough and without support, both from family and from the medical system. Some people don't have NEARLY the support system I had and just getting SEEN by someone who can help is often a months-long ordeal, if it can even be afforded at all. Nothing makes things worse than teetering on the edge and then being told you won't be able to see a psychiatrist for 6 months because of waiting lists. Suicidal people are people in immediate crises and need access to support ASAP. The more services we as a society can make available, the better for everyone. Suicide has a cost not just to the person who ends their lives and their immediate family, but as this article shows, a cost to people arounds tehm and society as a whole.

I feel bad for the people that were hurt, but they will recover.

Hopefully, seeing and getting hit by body parts is something that not everyone can visually get out of their minds.

The guy who killed himself never got the chance to heal.

Very, very true.

As someone who has dealt with thoughts of suicide in the past, I can tell you for certain it isn't. Or at least, that's not how someone suffering from suicidal thoughts sees it. To someone who is going through a terrible time in their life, to someone who isn't thinking straight, to someone who looks at themselves and sees only a burden to others, the idea of ending their life - of 'freeing' their loved ones from having to deal with them - seems like the most selfless act possible. "I have become nothing but a burden and an embarrassment to the people around me. Their lives would be so much better if I just...disappeared. Then they can be happy." That's not selfishness. That's the thought process of someone going through something most people will never have the misfortune to know. And thank whatever deity you choose for that fact.

Man, that’s so sad, hope you’re doing better now.

that suicide was a selfish and stupid act.

As someone who has dealt with thoughts of suicide in the past, I can tell you for certain it isn't. Or at least, that's not how someone suffering from suicidal thoughts sees it. To someone who is going through a terrible time in their life, to someone who isn't thinking straight, to someone who looks at themselves and sees only a burden to others, the idea of ending their life - of 'freeing' their loved ones from having to deal with them - seems like the most selfless act possible. "I have become nothing but a burden and an embarrassment to the people around me. Their lives would be so much better if I just...disappeared. Then they can be happy." That's not selfishness. That's the thought process of someone going through something most people will never have the misfortune to know. And thank whatever deity you choose for that fact.

I used to think like some of the posters here, that suicide was a selfish and stupid act.

But I now have someone very important to me with a mental illness that is sometimes crippling and I worry every day that something bad might happen to her. This guy that killed himself wasn't thinking 'Oh I hope I take out a few innocent bystanders on my way out'. He probably couldn't even fathom anything but ending his miserable life. I feel bad for the people that were hurt, but they will recover. The guy who killed himself never got the chance to heal.

I was sitting at the front of a train a couple of months ago when a lady jumped in front of it. It made a horrible sound and you could feel the train shaking as it went over the lady's body. It wasn't very pleasant and I felt very sorry for the driver.

Exactly, as was the case I witnessed, the sight and sound is just something that stays with you, I don’t wish for anyone to go through or witness it, but yes, the driver in front of me was totally distraught and had to deal with the police when they came and go over everything as they were writing a thorough report, having to look at that, so sad, I just can’t imagine....

What people claim to have seen and what is possible to see are two different things. Science determines what people could have seen. Science dictates that no passenger could see a person pulled under a train.

Science has nothing to do with what a person sees or what they do not see, if you want to call the person out as liar without the single shred of evidence that reflects poorly on you. If a person says from his or her experience that they were a witness to a horrific accident why would they tell it if it was not true. This is something serious and should never be made light of. A lot of people take suicide very seriously as do I and No amount of personal skepticism on your part will change that. Been living long enough in Japan and in Fukuoka there are a lot of people jumping in front of trains, can’t even count and I personally want to see an end to it and if there is some form of intervention we can offer to people contemplating suicide then we should at least try.

.

maybe rather than chastise the jumper we should be looking at why so many people decide to kill themselves in this way 

Part of it, I would imagine, is a perceived lack of other, painless methods. In America, the preferred method among men (56%) is suicide by firearm, whereas among women (31.4%) it is poisoning (often by overdosing on medication) followed by firearms (31.2%). Firearms are so popular because it is generally quick and painless. For women, poisoning leaves an unmarred “pretty” corpse. The lack of access to firearms in Japan means many suicidal people have to think of alternative methods. Not a judgement on Japan’s gun laws, just pointing it out. Oftentimes, suicides in a public place are one, final, desperate call for help. In the back of their minds, they may be hoping upon forlorn hope that someone will see them and attempt to intervene and stop them. If they were 100% committed and didn’t want anyone to stop them, they would do it privately where there is no risk of interference. Additionally, it may also be a final attempt to be noticed. “I was an ignored nobody in life, but perhaps in death people will know about me, even if only for a day”. Regardless, suicide is a horrible thing and countries need to have better services available to help combat it.

I was sitting at the front of a train a couple of months ago when a lady jumped in front of it. It made a horrible sound and you could feel the train shaking as it went over the lady's body. It wasn't very pleasant and I felt very sorry for the driver.

In Japan, we have TELL, though they charge a lot of money:

https://telljp.com/

So for people in financial difficulty it may (assuming that they can stomach sharing their issues with others) be problematic - more-so since the Japan National Health Insurance doesn't cover them.

Does anyone know what the Japan National Health Insurance system does cover with regards to similar counselling - even if it's in Japanese ? It may-be worthwhile for JT to include that information, at the bottom of similar News Stories so that everyone is aware, and can, refer a colleague or friend to such a Service without any embarrassment.

This is the reason why they are installing more barriers to stop people from leaping to their fate. I suppose you can always find a way to bypass that, but it’s something. I think Japan needs to create better programs in dealing with the issue of suicide and better suicide prevention seminars, counseling and outreach programs. Because it’s not just for the people that contemplate suicide, but also for the people that witness something so traumatic, at the very least it should be available to those that want or need it. For me watching someone being killed by a train is just a terrible, terrible image that bothered me for quite awhile because after that, I kept asking myself “why?” Was it worth it, did the guy had a family, the only thing the local newspaper said was, the man was in his early 50’s that was about it.

Toasted Heretic: "I'm pretty sure he didn't mean to injure the unfortunate bystanders."

I'm pretty sure he knew it was a very high probability, if not a matter of fact. It's happened countless times before and those are only the reported cases. He had to know it was a possibility, but did it anyway.

"As for why he didn't do it at home, who knows? Didn't want his family to see?"

Yeah, I guess he must have been awfully shy to have done it instead during the early morning rush hour. Hey, look, I'm not saying people shouldn't seek help that need it -- I'm saying they SHOULD. And I'm not dismissing the fact that there are those who feel they have no escape from conditions they most certainly CAN control and want to take the coward's way out. There are LOTS of lazy people like that. And I think society doesn't do enough to help people who are open to it. But if they really, REALLY must kill themselves to get out of a fix, they really should try to find some quiet corner somewhere to crawl and roll up in. I have a lot of pity for the VICTIMS here, of which the jumper is not one.

the epitome of selfishness. traumatizing and injuring innocent people. why cant these people just do it at home alone? I hope the injured make a full recovery, then sue the mans family.

Yes, just what the poor guy and his family needs at this fragile stage.

I'm pretty sure he didn't mean to injure the unfortunate bystanders.

As for why he didn't do it at home, who knows? Didn't want his family to see?

It's really difficult to tell someone's state of mind when they chose to go, or where.

I hope this case is not ignored like other suicide cases that Japan has witnessed. People need to understand why people are forced to take this step.

Frankly speaking, one May not think of doing such thing whatever the situation or stress level is.

We need to realise the situation that has forced people to take such step and make jaitam a better society in terms of relations, work and socialism.

Stations should have posters advising people to choose life...

And then if that fails offer free charcoal briquettes that the “ones who have had enough” can quietly burn in their bathroom and not inconvenience others.

@spitfire

the powers in charge would rather have us believe that we are living in a Utopian world and therefore to try and prevent 'copy cat' episodes.

right. Then why is it reported in the news? powers in charge... I suppose you think it’s one big conspiracy.

Passengers do not have the angle from inside the carriage to see anyone “sucked under” a train.

I don’t know about you, but I did and I know what I saw, that’s all I can say.

Reporting suicide is highly sensitive. There are guideline and recommendations below:

https://reportingonsuicide.org/recommendations/#dodonts

Avoid

Describing or depicting the method and location of the suicide.

Describing personal details about the person who died.

Sensationalizing details in the headline or story.

Prominent placement of stories related to a suicide death in print or in a newscast

The article fails these points. Besides, without a note, any possible foul play? I guess the inquiry is still underway... suicide is also contagious especially under the current crisis. Please be prudent and responsible.

Good lord.

Passengers do not have the angle from inside the carriage to see anyone “sucked under” a train. Sliding down the windscreen, yes; being sucked under, no.

I middle aged man with job stress perhaps? I can certainly relate. RIP

It's just sad any which way you look at it. When a person gets to that point that they want to take that kind of drastic measure you something is deeply and sadly wrong.

Passengers wouldn’t be able to see a person actually getting pulled under the train,

Yes, they would if they were positioned where I was standing.

just them hitting the windscreen. Smh.

Something you can never get out of your head.

Passengers wouldn’t be able to see a person actually getting pulled under the train, just them hitting the windscreen. Smh.

Suicide is what it is.

Taking others out with you is what it is as well.

I think everyone has a point here.

But imagine if someone jumped off a building but also smashed ur child, family member, or loved one?

It is selfish and horrible as well.

Unfortunately most of the mental health clinics seem to offer a regimen of addictive benzos rather than explore the root of the issue.

That class of drugs can definitely serve a useful purpose, when used properly.

However, it is certainly no substitute for complete treatment, which should include behavioral and psycho therapy, with a smaller reliance on medication.

It's amazing how some posters at JT always post the wrong thing. Always. Without fail.

Horrible news, just horrible. I will never forget about 11 years ago, I was on the Nishitetsu coming from Kurume bound for Tenjin to meet up with a friend, beautiful sunny midday and I was standing behind the train operator in the first carriage and as we went into a curve heading for Futsukaichi sta. on the high speed express, I witnessed from the corner of my left eye a man a man jumping right in front of us and I won’t get into the horrific details, but watching someone at a high speed getting pulled underneath a speeding train is something you’ll never, ever forget especially being so close in proximity to the deceased person both the train operator and I just jumped, he hit the brakes and from that point on it became a crime spree.

We didn’t move for close to 2 hours, the police, ambulance, the onlookers, it was a complete nightmare. I always wonder why and what motivates people to want to do something like this. You never know what goes through a persons mind, but to kill themselves in this manner is just sad and horrible.

And once again, these selfish freaks who need to jump decide they don't care at all what happens after and end up injuring and probably ruining the lives of numerous others, and the guy's family will likely receive a payout after all is said and done. Hope those injured and who witnessed this moron's last act recover, and the man who did it is named.

i heard about this... body parts were flying around and those poor people had a taste of his legs and arms... they got even more traumatized than you think... indeed, what a selfish b-st-rd...

Mental difficulties and issues are still considered a "Taboo" subject here. If there were the correct avenues to seek help, plus an understanding by society that everyone will go through some mental turmoil at some point in their lives, maybe people will seek out counselling before they become overwhelmed.

Unfortunately most of the mental health clinics seem to offer a regimen of addictive benzos rather than explore the root of the issue.

From infant bullying to corporate shaming, there is a need to educate society and provide more extensive mental care here.

Although suicide is a terrible thing that should be avoided, I'm always surprised by the selfish way some people in Japan choose to commit it.

Perhaps they'll wake up in a purgatory, specially designed to resemble a train platform with a perpetually delayed train?

@ClippertClop,

I think what Euro Dude means is that suicides aren't reported about as often as they occur since they have become an everyday occurrence and that the powers in charge would rather have us believe that we are living in a Utopian world and therefore to try and prevent 'copy cat' episodes.

The suicide rates are not reported properly in Japan, since so many commit those horrid suicides.

Do you have some evidence that the true figures are being concealed? The second part of your statement in no way proves the first part.

Horrific.

maybe rather than chastise the jumper we should be looking at why so many people decide to kill themselves in this way and try and offer better social care and support for suicidal people or people having and suicidal thoughts or suffering from depression.

It doesn't have to be like this.

I feel sorry for the injured people.

Japan needs to do something about its suicide rate asap.

the epitome of selfishness. traumatizing and injuring innocent people. why cant these people just do it at home alone? I hope the injured make a full recovery, then sue the mans family.