9th April, 2008

CORAL VASS
Tokyo, Japan

Spring is in the air in Japan, yet while the trees are blossoming and spring flowers display signs of new life, all around there are reports of people taking their own lives in Japan.

BLOSSOMS IN JAPAN: Amid the scenes of new life, Japan continues to grapple with reports of suicide. PICTURE: Joshua Petyt (www.sxc.hu) "Japanese people are searching for something more in life. And today many Japanese people are finding that 'greater meaning' in life through Jesus Christ."

Everyday there is news of more suicides in Japan, affecting all ages and social groups. According to statistics, over 100 people a day commit suicide, at a rate of one every 15 minutes. For most people living in Japan, these terrible statistics don’t come as a surprise. By just picking up a daily newspaper one can read a stream of disturbing suicide reports.

The suicide rate in Japan is not only frightening but it’s complex. There are so many factors contributing to this social epidemic, such as stress and competition in schools and the work place, reluctance to discuss mental health issues, family breakdown, isolation, loneliness and financial insecurity.

However, analysing such factors fades in comparison to the reality of a 12-year- old child taking his own life. A Toyko newspaper last month reported that a sixth-grade primary school student ended his life by jumping from a building after leaving a suicide note which read, “I'll apologize by killing myself.”

Michael Zielenziger, a former Tokyo-based foreign correspondent, comments in an article in the Asian Times Online, "These worrying statistics demonstrate that Japanese society and its leaders have not done enough to consider the fruits of their economic prosperity...its citizens are searching for greater meaning."

I’m not sure that Zielenziger and I would agree on the definition of a “greater meaning”, but I do agree that the Japanese people are searching for something more in life. And today many Japanese people are finding that “greater meaning” in life through Jesus Christ.

As the suicide rate continues to rise, the number of Japanese finding hope for living is also on the rise.

There are stories of young Japanese once too scared to leave their homes, now having confidence and a love of life. There are other stories of Japanese young people who were deeply depressed and lonely but now have joy and peace and something to live for. And there is story after story of lives being changed daily. Unless one sees it, it’s hard to believe these life transformations are happening. But one by one they are happening here in Japan. Unfortunately, these are not stories reported in the daily newspapers.

It’s been said that the suicide rate in Japan has become such a widespread social phenomenon that it may take years before the figures start to decline. While there is pressure on the Japanese government to pour millions into addressing this devastating social epidemic, change is occurring, one life at a time, through the hope that only Jesus can give.

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