Woman jumps in front of express train; body propelled into station

I think it is wrong and low class to criticise someone who found that this was the best thing for them. Compassion is free.

Burakimin, come on man. I doubt she thought that she would harm anybody else in the process, and it's wrong to assume she wanted to. When you are in a state of mind that jumping in front of a train is the best solution to your problems, you are in a very dark place indeed, and rational thought would be a struggle I'm guessing. Cut her some slack. She ended her own life. It's very sad.

Here is a bit of advice to those who seem to think this woman was selfish or a bad person. Spend some time reading up about mental illness and especially depression. There are times when the person is such a low point that death seems the only option. At this low point rational thinking is almost gone, the main thing is to end the life. Try thinking how damaged the person is to consider ending their life, not an easy thing to do.

If you have lived throug or witnessed a love one living through the hell of severe mental illness you would know why i say these things. We should be sad that a woman couldn't face anymore life and think of her family who have lost a loved one.

No, it doesn't happen everyday at all.

sadly it does. over 100 people off themselves everyday, many use trains.

why do people consistently suicide by jumping in front of a train? why? isnt there a more peaceful way and less scary way to commit suicide?

Another example of what happens when emotions are pent up through the pressure of life in Japan. I personally think the whole 'ganbare' and 'I must not make a scene' are partially to blame.

No, it doesn't happen everyday at all. Another deluded individual.

It happens everyday.

I agree with steve@CPFC, there is no point trying to criticize this person.

I very much doubt that she took her own life so that people would miss their flights from Narita.

I also very much doubt that she was in any kind of logical state of mind when she did this.

So what's the point trying to analyze it?

Life had got too much for her and she did the only thing she could think of to put a stop to it.

Have some compassion, please.

And if you want to do something to help someone before they get in this desperate position, a little bit of kindness and understanding really helps. If she'd had someone to listen to her - really listen - this might not have happened.

Cleo-summed it up best. While it is a sad event, the method in which she did was selfish to say the least. There are hundreds of ways you can kill yourself without involving the public. I have been late 3 times this month because someone thought to throw themselves in front of a train! It seems like it is getting worse. The lives that are always involved, the innocent people that have to suffer because the person wants to go out in style. Counseling is almost never heard of and even mentioning that you have a mental sickness is already a death sentence, people will shun you like the Ebola virus.

It would be great if everyone in the world was apart of a single global consciousness. Everyone could feel and understand each other as much as they understand themselves and events like this would probably cease to exist.

All of you who said "she was selfish" knew her right?

We know her well enough to know she ended her life in the most selfish way possible - by traumatizing many people forced to witness her death, not to mention those injured. How is this not a fundamentally very selfish act?

Another sad and quiet tragedy unfolds. I'm glad to see some compassion being expressed; who knows what unspoken burdens people carry around. I like Cleo's comment about those contemplating suicide, taking time to get their affairs in order and as a ancillary benefit, truly sitting down to evaluate and think. A very great part of the problem though, is that people simply withdraw, something very easy to do in society nowadays. You can reach out and feel 'connected' to the world and to people via the myriad social streams available, but that doesn't feel to me like real engagement. A smile or even some expressed concern, verbal or not, can go a long ways to helping ease someone's state of mind and break down barriers; at the very least, it will provide a brief reprieve for a troubled soul. I hope people here look around with a bit more empathy; remember your own humanity, and reach out.

I am so sorry for this poor soul and the people affected, particularly the poor driver who had to witness this.

Ignorant selfish act, saw this on the news last night looked horrible and the people that got hit by her flying body must be traumatised

While this might sound callous, the Narita Express (airport-bound ones anyway) is the worst train to jump in front of as far as ruining other people's days- I wonder how many people missed their flights because of this? I doubt she was thinking along those lines though.

Put up the fences and legalize suicide so people will go for a needle rather than a train.

papigiulio: "why do people consistently suicide by jumping in front of a train? why?"

A few reasons, I would imagine, although of course I'm also at a loss as to why people feel the need to off themselves.

1) Trains are of course very common, and very frequent, and in the case of express trains very fast. It's simple ease of access. You are quite certain to succeed with something like this.

2) The person could commit the act suddenly and without others knowing what is about to happen. Going to the top of the building could set off certain alarm bells, so to speak, and someone might notify the authorities or someone else and the person might be talked down. With a train you just stand on the platform and make that sudden, crucial decision to step or jump forward without anyone having the chance to stop you (unless you WANT to be stopped).

3) While they are probably aware they will cause major inconvenience to the company and other passengers, and worse (as is the case here with the people hit by her body), they know they will be seen and found. I have no doubt some do it for the attention, and others are afraid if they did it somewhere privately they might not be found (right away, if not for a long time).

It is terribly sad that the woman felt she had to end her life, and needless to say a horrible experience for the four people hit by her body. I find it hard to believe no one witnessed it, as even the train conductor or people looking out from the front of the train would have seen the impact.

One last thing: I don't think it's entirely wrong to criticize this woman's act to an extent. Again, it's sad she did it, but you DO know that when a person kills themselves on the rails the family may have to pay the expenses for clean up and delays, etc., right? They also default on life insurance (which I think goes to the company, but not sure on that one). Obviously the woman had problems, but if she left a family behind not only will she have shocked them deeply by killing herself, but she might be making them lose a lot more than that as well.

I totally agree with you steve :)

Steve's right! This poor woman living in Tokyo had been through too much recently. You know, the earthquakes, the rolling blackouts, the heat, etc. Her life these past months may have sheer hell for and/or family and she believed that this was the "honourable way out", as the Japanese people believe it to be.

Plus, in Japanese society, past and present, there is NO stigmata on suicide.

The only selfish people are those who criticised this poor woman.

Please show her and her family some respect. Thank You.

There are other less 'intrusive ' ways to get to the next life - better to help people get over it though. Maybe we should ask ourselves how could we do that instead of pointing the finger?

Steve...a great comment from you that doesn't go on to blame her parents and childhood!

JR will be amply compensated for this, as in all other suicides. They charge millions of yen for stoppages, extra work, etc... Bereaving families are not only stuck with a funeral, but a huge bill for the suicide.

We don't know anything about her life I sort of agree that we don't have to critise her...But this happened to my husband many years ago - the guy standing next to him suddently approached the train as it was about to stop and the train hit him in the head. the guy then got stuck between the platform and the train and it was a huge mess, he said. the point is that he couldn't sleep for a couple of days and said he couldn't get the sound of the train hitting the guy's head out of his mind..he still sometimes speaks about it. Then, it sort of happened to me as well as I was waiting for Keio line - a girl and her mom were sitting on the bench and as the train approached the girl tried to jump. Her mom went crazy, started shouting...fortunately she stopped her, grabbed her hand and took her away. But having witnessed that (note that nothing happened) I felt really sick. It was an awful experience. So, after that experience I'm not so keen on excusing those people. I know they are not in their normal state of mind, but still, if one wants to end his/her life it's better to do it quietly and away from people's eyes. Other people after all have nothing to do with their grief.

steve: "Here is a bit of advice to those who seem to think this woman was selfish or a bad person. Spend some time reading up about mental illness and especially depression."

There are few posters on here who don't say it's a shame she did what she did, and that it's horrible she reached such a point where she felt this was the only option. That said, to declare that her act was selfless is a little much. Do you know how much money her family is going to have to pay to the train company for this? She would have known this if she had been thinking about it previous to the act, but did it anyway.

And again, now you're going to have several other people at least suffer from stress, trauma (possibly even PTSD) and mental troubles caused by this woman's actions. Now, I have said and will continue to berate the system here for their lack of help not only for people thinking about suicide but for mental disorders and illness in general, and the fact that there is still a lot of stigma is disgusting. She needed help, and should have had easy access to it -- no one debates that. But what she did was still selfish in the end, and many others are paying for and WILL pay for it.

I think health ministry and public health departments should be more proactive to combat this epidemic of suicide, more than 34000 people kill themself in Japan every year, that is horrible! I think they should think about others rather be self centered. Should donate blood on a regular basis and visit third world poor countries to put life in perspective.

With 35.000 suicides per year, it is not the lady who had a problem, but the society which is inducing people to suicide. It's a cultural flaw.

steve@CPFC:

Peopel, pleased educate yourselves on mental illness and what makes a person suicidal and how they are thinking. If it happened to your loved one would you like them to be called "selfish" and other nasty words?

I had a good friend kill themselves when I was young and a family member threaten to me to do so (while in the hospital, dying). I understand it completely. They were sick. So please don't accuse me of not understanding, I understand it all far too well.

I think you completely missed the point of my 'taking it out on others' comment - I'm not referring to her killing herself, I am referring to her doing it in public, needlessly traumatizing so many others. If you have a communicable disease it can't be helped and you need to get treatment, but it doesn't excuse you if you intentionally infect others. That's what this woman did, she took her personal problem and ruined a whole bunch of strangers' lives with them.

As Cleo said - a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Of course, when you have spiralled into the pit of depression and all capability for rational thought has gone, it is not possible to see it that way. Everyone here is making very very good points - but then everyone here (I am presuming!) is rational - at least for now!

Steve: you make some excellent points about the ones left behind. I think most people sadly have had some kind of contact with mental illness and/or suicide by the time they reach "our age". The most difficult thing is watching your loved one getting worse and worse and being so helpless to do anything about it. And then, once they are gone, the constant wondering of "Could I have done more?" "Why couldnt I help?" and even "Didnt he/she love me enough to try and get better/help themselves" can drive people to their own dark place.

Suicide is complex, but without a doubt, there needs to be FAR more done here for mental illness. But before that can even happen, the stigma in society of seeking help needs to be broken. And quite frankly, here in Japan I have no idea at all how you would go about it. Perhaps some high profile celebrities talking about their mental health issues/treatment? Make it "trendy"??! to seek help? Sorry to sound flippant, but every life lost is (often) another 3,4,5 scarred. My friends husband died last year through suicide. He has left 2 lovely little girls who will grow up not even remembering their Father. It breaks my heart.

Not one of you seem to consider that maybe this woman had fallen into depression due to the current situation caused by TEPCO or the Earthquake / Tsunami.

Because it's far more likely she ended her life for the simpler reason most people end their life - clinical depression.

tired of the traffic backed up from suicides? been late to work three times this week because of suicides? See, I bet this woman wished she could have been part of that society too, going to work, having a routine, getting on with an ordinary life, having someone to complain to, to vent, to get it out of her system.

I bet that's exactly what she wanted. But she couldn't be part of that society, could she? Somehow she didn't fit in to it. Somehow she wasn't up to speed, couldn't get with the program. Yeah, she was a big fail, wasn't she? And even in death she's seen as a big fail by some here.

Don't you think that's part of the problem here guys?

cleo - You're right. I was in a rather cynical mood while typing that out in a frenzy.

If anything, it was cowardice more than selfishness. I've been close enough to the edge that I remember feeling nothing but fear, just being scared to hell, and debilitating sadness. Awareness of the effects of one's actions on others yet choosing in one's own favor is a requisite of selfishness, and this woman, in all likelyhood, wasn't.

However, it doesn't excuse what I feel is an overwhelming atmosphere herein - that people are criticizing that woman for not thinking about the aftermath of her suicide. Of course she didn't. If she were aware enough of her surroundings and were able to fully assess her situation, she likely wouldn't have jumped in the first place. They don't realize how much of a mental block depression puts on a person.

Then again, she may not have been depressed at all. She may simply have chosen this route because of her belief that it would both end her suffering and take the burden of supporting her away from society and/or whatever family she had.

Regardless of her true mental state prior to jumping, I place blame for neither the damages nor the resulting trauma on that woman. I place it on the society that failed to recognize the symptoms of her impending self-destruction (or worse, chose to ignore them), the cultural history of seeing suicide as a viable option to ending one's problems, and the lack of support in general for the prevention of suicide and the need to change this ancient mindset.

I don't care what people say about Trains its a very painfull way especially if you survive. Theres NO reason to be a coward & end it. alot of people do this to make other people suffer & have regret. things will always get better especially if you change the way you live. NOT everything is easy. & yes some people can't help being poor, but Geez being poor is better than being Dead its a NO Brainer. "fit into society"?! OMG! it has NOTHING to do with it. theres Thousands of Japanese who "dont fit into society" & they are fine with it & Don't care. i wish people who post here would Learn MORE about Japan before typing odd corny comments.

I think I'd be sick to my stomach if I witnessed that. That's truly sad. She had to have felt some pain there. Bad decision on her part. No counseling available in this country?

Wow! Talk about graphic.

Sad.

The reason is that it was an express train -good chance of succeeding. Suicides usually choose JR over other lines as 100kph trains thunder through the stations.

@BurakuminDes - I take your point, and I think anyone rational would agree with you, but I also think when you get to the point that you are thinking about diving in front of a train you are probably beyond rational thinking.

I saw this on the news this morning, and it was truly horrible. I agree with Papigiulio there must be more gentle ways to do this. But then, I think maybe people who do this are actually going for the effect - going out with a bang, so to speak. I`m not a psychologist but that would be my impression.

why do people consistently suicide by jumping in front of a train? why? isnt there a more peaceful way and less scary way to commit suicide?

Some people just like trains.

I always wonder if train jumpers are so frustrated w/ society, that this is their final, middle-finger salute. "I am going to kill myself, and I am going to make all of you late for work, dates, whatever in the process."

I think I'd be sick to my stomach if I witnessed that. That's truly sad. She had to have felt some pain there. Bad decision on her part. No counseling available in this country?

I doubt if she needs any now. But seriously here, counselling is available for those that look for it. In this case I'd bet she didnt want anything more than what she got.

It's a shame that because of her actions others were hurt, and with the Japanese being as they are, I doubt as well that others were traumatized by this woman's actions as well. Just another day in Japan.

Yubaru: "But seriously here, counselling is available for those that look for it. In this case I'd bet she didnt want anything more than what she got. "

There is SOME counselling, but it's still woefully inadequate and carries a certain stigma with it. Once in a while they have a 'mental health awareness week' where they bring in a few more people to operate a hotline for people thinking about suicide but the bottom line is they need to do more.

"It's a shame that because of her actions others were hurt, and with the Japanese being as they are, I doubt as well that others were traumatized by this woman's actions as well."

Not sure what you're saying in the last line, here... are you saying you doubt others were traumatized? I think there can be no doubt whatsoever that the people hit by this woman's body are suffering trauma.

It's quite possible there were no witnesses as this is a looong platform (it's my home station) and probably there weren't so many people waiting on it at 10am. Incredibly (or perhaps not so incredibly) another person did the same thing there today. Kiosk and bystanders apparently unhurt.

@steve@CPFCJUL. 13, 2011 - 05:52PM JST I think it is wrong and low class to criticise someone who found that this was the best thing for them. Compassion is free.

Very well said, I totally agree with you on this.

If you must kill yourself, put your affairs in order first and choose a method that doesn't leave a gory mess

Cleo -- how dare you choose to lecture someone who is contemplating suicide? Who "died" and made you the queen of Japanese suicide ethics/morality? Your lack of compassion for someone who is obviously driven to the end of her wits psychologically for reasons none of us is privy to is staggering.

35.000 last year, which roughly means 100 per day, which turn to be one every 15 minutes more or less... A big tsunami like Fukushima every year. And the number is increasing - the year before was around 30.000. The Government try to hire more psychologists, but they are never enough; they address the symptoms, but eventually miss the root cause of the problem.

Steve@CPFC - 100% agree with all of your posts on this thread. As for counselling, this country's culture is built on saving face. Many would feel they are losing face by going to a counsellor, that that's a sign of weakness. Better to choose death.

cleo - although I understand what you're trying to say I think you're missing the point that some people are just not in that state of mind to 'stop and think'. Obviously you've never dealt with that and I sincerely hope you will never have to, but you gotta try to imagine that there are worlds out there different from yours. Having said that I still agree that public suicide is not and should not be acceptable. All trains should be like Namboku line - no stress there.

At those speeds there's going to be a mess. I wouldn't be surprised if some of those injuries were from bone fragments or other parts that came off from the impact.

Just legalize euthanasia. If you want to feel preachy you can even require psychological counseling but give them some out of the way place to do it. I'm tired of having traffic backed up when they jump off of a bridge, delays when they go in front of a train, and bystanders being endangered when they want a cop to off them.

Sad story. It's too bad someone chose to end their life in such a way to so traumatize others. I understand people have mental issues but it's still no excuse for taking it out on others...

@Smorkian

...it's still no excuse for taking it out on others...

Surely "taking it out" on someone implies intent Smorkian? I'm sure she didn't mean to be knocked back onto the platform when she jumped.

Very sad. A tragedy and a waste of a life.

I have contemplated running away from seemingly insurmountable life problems through death at least twice in my lifetime. I even came close once, and I probably would not be sitting here typing this if not for... intervention. Still, I was always somehow conscious of the fact that there are better options. This was perhaps because, in the back of my mind, I always knew help and support were available. I don't know the severity of that woman'situation, so I can't say what pushed her over the edge, but I doubt she had any people she could be open with or even had a shoulder to lean on.

True, suicide is seen as selfish in many parts of the world, but most of those who think this (even myself sometimes) cannot even begin to understand what makes a person contemplate let alone choose such a route. We also have to consider the underlying cultural mindset. Many Japanese still believe suicide is honorable and ends not only the suffering of oneself but takes the burden away from those around them as well.

Nevertheless, that doesn't excuse the fact that Japan is in dire need of social support services, anywhere from distress centers for abused women or victims of rape to trauma counselling and psychiatric treatment. Also, Japan's teen suicide rate is among the highest in the world. So yes, prevention starts in the early years. Parents as well as educational institutions have a responsibility for the wellfare of their youth, not just their grades.

There has to be a point where we can finally stop writing about the lack of awareness of and help for the mentally ill or emotionally unstable in Japan because someone with enough influence actually decided to do something about it for once.

I feel very much sympathy for the woman but after knowing that her family will have to PAY to the train company, (possible all other damages, compensations for other victims?), I am even more horrified. How on earth her family have to pay ? Her life ,her decision, her responsibility...she is (or was) an adult with full responsibility and legal rights for goodness sake! The law is illogical and wrong, because it can make you to use "super glue" ,so to speak, to join each family member together 24/7 for just having peace of mind.

Poor thing, A permanent solution to a temporary problem.... If your going to do it don't risk others.

Too bad about the woman who died, but I'm glad for the four who apparently weren't badly hurt. I'm sure they're terribly rattled, though.

The main problem for most people that commit suicides in Japan is a prolong isolation and stress. They lose their self esteem completely and compound with bad the economy, two-thirds of the people in Japan has money worries and they are feeling helpless. Maybe J-goverment needs to import more U.S. and western Psycologist that is familar with the Japanese culture and approach from a different angle. Japan has a major cultural flaw.

i pity those who commit suicide... though it may be selfish to others but yeah, they are not in a sound mind to think about that.

How absurd and heartless to say, "legalize suicide". Perhaps you propose a fine be imposed? Have it government regulated? No. If anything, Government action should be to reach out to the weak to remind them they are loved. By someone. Perhaps not by those who say, "well just make it legal". Wrong signal. Its a mistake. Life is not just some inconvenience. To those who have lost a loved one to suicide, me included, compassion is needed.

Suicide is complex, but without a doubt, there needs to be FAR more done here for mental illness. But before that can even happen, the stigma in society of seeking help needs to be broken.

Yes, I agree 100%.

What annoys me that this government ignores this problem like so many others, bullying, shody reactors and so on.

Wow! This is amazing!! I am absolutely amazed how many people on this message board knew the deceased person. All of you who said "she was selfish" knew her right? Was she a member of this community? I mean why would you say that about a dead person unless you were either completely without an ounce of compassion in your heart, socially maladriot, or you knew and hated the person. If you really think about it (which you CAN do if you really try) I don't believe that she went down onto the platform, lined up the shot like a pool player, made sure there were sufficient people in the shop, then jumped infront of the train... but if your just Trolling, keep up the good work.

The traditional way was to jump off a cliff. Perhaps this is too 'clean' or 'romantic'.

Some say the most efficient way is to jump into an active volcano.

There are many selfish ways of committing suicide which involve pain or difficulty or 'meiwaku' for others (actually the English contains a nuance not in Japanese, ie of committing a crime, so perhaps 'ending your own life' might be a better way to phrase it than 'committing suicide').

I doubt the woman calculated the angle of bounce. Thoughtless, yes. A mess, yes.

There are organizations and individuals out there that are trying to deal with this societal problem, but I think it takes a very special type of person to be able to tackle this head-on. Most of us are simply turned off or revulsed and have enough problems on our plate everyday without having to come up with extra strength to help others, expecially those with desperately deep needs. I bow to those with deep enough compassion.

"I have been late 3 times this month because someone thought to throw themselves in front of a train."

Hurry up and wait, lol.

Cleo - would you agree that the definition of selfish could also be applied to the people here who are lacking in consideration for someone who was pushed to the ultimate extreme of taking her own life? Seems the bottom line in some of these posts is "I don't care about you or what you do, just don't inconvenience us."

would you agree that the definition of selfish could also be applied to the people here who are lacking in consideration for someone who was pushed to the ultimate extreme of taking her own life?

'It made me late for work' -type posts - Yes indeed.

The posts that are concerned about the effect on others (the people who were injured, the people who had to witness what happened, the families that have to cope with the aftermath, etc - No, I don't think expressing concern for those people is selfish.

Just imagine buying bottled water in a train station, than suddenly get hit with blood and body parts. Down right scary !!!!!

I wonder what happened ? I wish they talk to me. My life is more complicated>

They need to look on the bright side.

There is SOME counselling, but it's still woefully inadequate and carries a certain stigma with it. Once in a while they have a 'mental health awareness week' where they bring in a few more people to operate a hotline for people thinking about suicide but the bottom line is they need to do more.

"It's a shame that because of her actions others were hurt, and with the Japanese being as they are, I doubt as well that others were traumatized by this woman's actions as well."

Not sure what you're saying in the last line, here... are you saying you doubt others were traumatized? I think there can be no doubt whatsoever that the people hit by this woman's body are suffering trauma.

Sorry for the late reply, long weekend.

I dont believe that the people who saw what happened really have registered in their minds what they saw. Meaning that I don't believe that Japanese people, generally speaking here, take things like this in the same manner as many if not most westerners do. They do not dwell on the horror and get on with their lives. They see, but many if not most times do not register what occurred, they let things go much faster and do not let it get to them.

To be honest I think this choice of suicide is partly due to the 'normalcy' - it is a very common way that the next person might follow the same way regardless of why or whoever else gets pulled into it, but also it could be like giving a middle finger or a big **** all you to society, because it was society that let the person down??

You hurt me so I hurt you....

Whatever the reason, it is clearly a very selfish act indeed.

The only selfish people are those who criticised this poor woman.Please show her and her family some respect. Thank You.

Get real. This woman has, through her actions, seriously affected many others. Imagine being the train driver or his family after his shift; imagine being the poor JR staff who had to look at body parts stewn across the station; imagine being the passengers and emergency workers on the scene. This individual may well have killed someone, or caused PTSD. If people wish to suicide, whatever, just dont take down others with you. Have some compassion for the victims here.

Plus, in Japanese society, past and present, there is NO stigmata (sic) on suicide.

If true - that's what needs to change.

herefornow - Taking time to put one's affairs in order first and considering how to end it all without harming others are both ways for the suicidal person to put their problems in perspective, see things in a different light and at the very least give themselves a chance to rethink what they're about to do. If the person can redirect their thoughts to include others, they're more likely to realise that things aren't that bad and so less likely to actually commit suicide. 'Stop and think' is always good advice.

Or do you think it's more 'compassionate' to just tut-tut and let the suicidal get on with it?

Cleo -- aecho11 says it all. You apparently simply cannot empathize with someone who has stopped thinking rationally. For that you are lucky. But also unlucky. The Japan you do not see everyday up there in the mountains is incredibly stressful. (Just read today's article about women running into problems with loan companies. Loan compamies that are often yakuza-backed and will hound someone no end.) As a result, you apparently cannot show compassion for this woman and want to judge her by logical measures. It is thinking like that that results in Japan having such a pathetic mental health system, and mental illness still having such a stigma here.

That's gotta be the first time that's ever happened.

More like a temporary solution to a permanent problem...

steve@CPFC - "Compassion is free" and wasted on the feeble minded.

I find it utterly ridiculous that people call this woman "selfish" based on the fact that she somehow, in her morbidly depressed state of mind ...

managed to calculate the exact angle from which to jump pinpointed the exact spot at which to aim her body on a train moving at 110km/h timed her jump and its height perfectly and ultimately used her flying corpse as a projectile with which to smash through a shop door with the sole intention of injuring and traumatizing four people inside the store.

Really?!

Selfish? Based on the collateral damage you think was somehow purposely premeditated? Why, of course it is! I applaud the sheer ingenuity of this theory! Why, no, of course I'm not being sarcastic!

-_-'

It seems some people don't understand the meaning of the word 'selfish': lacking consideration for others.

ultimately used her flying corpse as a projectile with which to smash through a shop door with the sole intention of injuring and traumatizing four people inside the store

That wouldn't be selfish, it would be malevolent. No one as far as I can see is accusing suicides in general or this woman in particular of being malevolent. Did she intend to hurt 4 other people in her attempt to destroy herself? No - she simply didn't think of the effect her action would have on others. She was thinking of herself alone. She was, probably as a result of her morbidly depressed state of mind thinking and acting selfishly, ie without thought of others.

'Selfish' is a description, not a judgement.

As for the deceased person, as we do not know anything about her, it is a little early to judge her motives. When the temperature gets hotter,many people do strange things they would not have done in a normal situation.

Whenever something like this happens, there's someone whose job it is to clean up the mess.

As for the act being selfish - of course it is. A person contemplating suicide is so full of their own problems they have no room left to consider others. There are many many reasons for that, from mental illness to terminal illness to simple congenital self-centredness; but with the possible exception of the terminally ill, it's a permanent solution to a temporary problem that leaves far too much mess for those left behind to have to clean up.

If you must kill yourself, put your affairs in order first and choose a method that doesn't leave a gory mess.

I think we all have contemplated it at one time or another?

while tragic, her act delayed thousands of people.

Smorkian; FOR GODS SAKE!!! What is wrong wih you people, did you grow up in the 19th century? I am not trying to be rude but making statements like "taking it out on others" is ridiculous. I ahve seen this happen to someone, leading up to their death i got hurt so did many others. It is mental illness, do you lot get it "illness". the person was sick of mind. Of course it is sad that she took her life in this manner but people are not rational whne they do this.

Peopel, pleased educate yourselves on mental illness and what makes a person suicidal and how they are thinking. If it happened to your loved one would you like them to be called "selfish" and other nasty words?

People who commit suicide are selfish and in this case she even hurt innocent bystanders.

PS - don't wanna sound callous, she may have been mentally sick, but it's possible this selfish woman has destroyed other people's lives.

smithinjapan; I already stated about the effects her suicide has on others.

Her family may be pressured by the train company to pay a "fine" but they have no obligation to pay and any company should be condemned by the public for badgering a grieving family.

I did not say her actions are good and i do sympathise with others effected by her actions.If anyone critcises are suggest she should have done something else, stop now. I know about this and how the mind will not allow rational thought, how all help means nothing and life is pointless. We should never condemn the mentally ill this way because it causes trouble to passengers etc.

I am even more glad like i choose to work from home, never socialse anymore and just be with those who matter. There is something seriously wrong with a lot of peoples thinking here and i think you need to add a bit of humanity and empathy to your souls.

I've seen suicide, lived with it from someone close and i would never blame them for the hurt it caused me and others.

MoriNoHogosha; very brave of you to come here and post how you feel.Suicide is seen by many as a dirty and nasty thing. Some like yourself may contemplate and be abel to stop the urges and possibly get help For soemthey may get further and feel there is no help or they are so far gone into the darkness to be helped. Of course if professionals could have reached this person first the outcome may have been different. I would liek to see an awareness programme for people to understand mental illnes, depression and suicide better. Many here seem to think that suicide is a matter of choice as is the means to commit the act.

The main thing is mental ilnnes should be seen and treated as any other illness. Remove the stigma and try to help society understand it is the same as any other illness, nothing to be ashamed of. We should sop thinking so much about ourselves, ok we are late for work, but a fellow human has died, their shoudl be pity for the deceased and their family not bitterness and anger.Humanity needs a lot of improvement.

What an awful person she was to do this with the aim of hurting others - mentally and as it turns out physically. If you are screwed up, go into that forest at the foot of Fuji and do us all a favour...

Of course people who witness this are traumatised and i don't think anyone would deny this. the fact is we have to understand that people who kill themselves are in no state to start considering others, they don't even want to live. Because you have compassion for those who commit suicide doesn't mean you don't also have foranyone who has had to witness and deal with it.

Morre and more we see a lack of empathy for those who suffer.Modern society?

bass4funk; terruble, you were late 3 times because someone ended their life. The act of suicide is not usually selfish becaus ethe victims mindset is beyond that. Instead of complaining about a few delays to your business i would advise learning a bit about what goes through peoples minds at this time.the fact that someone would actually go through with the act says a lot. When the person awakes and lives witha feeling of nothingness and utter despair do you think they can have consideration for otehrs even you with your busy schedule.

Seems like a lot of people still need to learn about mental illness. It is always good to be prepared for this happening to anyone close to you as this is so hard and frustrating to deal with.

maybe we should look at why it is getting worse and what we can do. It is true that mental illness is still taboo in Japan and that is a lot of the problem. Mabye we shoudl point our fingers at that rather tahn the victim.

What a waste! This woman was obviously highly coordinated, had excellent timing and gymnastics ability. Very useful skills indeed! - Imagine how you would feel if you were standing in the kiosk buying some brunch and a body flies through the window knocking you off your feet. - Just nuts man!!!

I read all your posts and I think you all missed something. Not one of you seem to consider that maybe this woman had fallen into depression due to the current situation caused by TEPCO or the Earthquake / Tsunami.

She may have lost everything. This article tells us where she died but not where she was from. What if she was from Fukushima or near the area?

We can expect more people to commit suicide if they feel they can't survive in this country.

It's going to get worse before it gets better. It might not get better.

This happens everyday, another happy day in Japan.

This happens everyday, another happy day in Japan.

No, it doesn't happen everyday at all. Another deluded individual.