Metropolis

Illustration by Shane Busato

SUICIDE WATCH

Regarding “More Than Just a Number” (The Last Word, March 26): I was impressed that the author of the essay would confront such a grave Japanese social issue and condense it—a doctoral topic—into a brief summary. However, what promised to be an enlightening article could not overcome the temptation to reduce a very complex issue into a few unsubstantiated generalities and to add a “Western” ethnocentric slant to its commentary.

Several assertions in the article must be challenged. First of all, the suicide rate in the USA is not low; in fact, it rivals Japan in the total number of deaths, and suicide is a growing problem, especially in the military and with the young. I would also argue that having a high suicide rate does not automatically result in a dysfunctional society. In fact, just the opposite could be true. Classical Greece and Rome existed for thousands of years and gave us the basis of Western thought and religion, but there was certainly no stigma attached to the suicides of Socrates, Seneca or Brutus, “the noblest Roman of them all.” One man’s Masada is another man’s Jonestown. If Japan is dysfunctional, then what modern societies are functional?

The writer goes on to state that genetics is not one of the causes of suicide. I strongly disagree. Depression is linked to heredity, and depression is a leading cause of suicide. Check out the history of the Hemingway family. The author does make an interesting point about shyness being a Japanese shortcoming, but a more cogent factor would be the Japanese preoccupation with responsibility and “fear of failure.”

The causes and symptoms, justifications and ramifications, and legal and moral issues concerning Japanese suicides are just too complex for such a short article like this. Nice try, though. —Carmine Ruffa

NOTE TO ED.: DON’T GIVE UP THE DAY JOB

Regarding “Star Man” (Tastemaker, March 26): “Pierre Gagnaire collects Michelin stars the way Tiger Woods collects girlfriends: widely, impress-ively, and in great numbers.” Who is this guy—Leno? What an absolutely asinine comment. Try being a little more original and adventurous, Steve, and pick something a little more relevant or contemporary to Japan instead of going for the formula joke that every other writer and comedian has already done! The rest of the article reads well, but the first line made me want to hate it… C+ at best.—Fredster*

NOTE TO READERS: PAY ATTENTION

I was really moved by your well-written “Family Man” story (Feature, March 12). I am a father of two young boys myself, so I can understand [Craig Morrey’s] love for Spencer and the frustrating position he is in. That is why I am compelled to comment on a letter in your March 26 mailbox: Japaul03, it’s disgraceful how you used Mr. Morrey’s situation to gripe about your petty little grievances about Japanese society. What’s more, they’re irrelevant to his situation. Missing critical information obviously extends to your daily life here in Japan, and not just [Morrey’s] wife’s ethnicity. Open your eyes and write in when you have something to contribute.—KH, Saitama

SIZE MATTERS

Regarding “Measurement” (Upfront, April 2): When we were investigating the media’s fascination with the size of Tokyo Dome, little did we know that this was a hot-button issue for the Japanese public. Here are some selected comments from popular SNS 2channel expressing what people really think about the comparison…—Eds

I’ve never been to the Tokyo Dome, so that means nothing to me.
It’s hard to understand, and it seems like they’re looking down on anybody who lives outside Tokyo.
Agreed! They should compare it to something more familiar, or I don’t get it—like a rice bowl or something.
I wish they’d compare it to the Fukuoka Dome instead.
Tell me how many Tokyo Towers it’s equal to.
No way, definitely apples.
Just compare it to Koshien Stadium; then nobody would complain, right?
For a second, I read “Tokyo Domes” as “condoms”—I should probably go to sleep now.

* taken from the Japan Today comment threads

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