Suicide

Today the big news in Japan has been the suicide of the Agriculture Minister. This particular politician has been in hot water over misuse of funds, and in what is a not too unusually gesture he decided to end his life. Japan has one of the highest suicide rates in the world, so this type of news isn't all that unfamiliar. For many people it is seen as an easy way out, and at the same time in some way an honorable way out. In my post about the mass suicides in Okinawa, these were stirred by rumor and most of the people saw it as a better way to go. This is definately a country that needs to see hope.