A couple in Fukui prefecture committed suicide together in a car today. They mixed some chemicals to make hydrogen sulfide, and then released it in the car. The suicide pact was successful--they both died. The interesting thing was that they left a little note on the car window, facing out, that read: Caution! Toxic Gas.
Apparently, there were a few other instances of suicide by toxic gas recently, and in some, people nearby got sick from the fumes. This was a respectful way of making sure that nobody else but themselves got hurt.
I think people have something to offer the world and should avoid suicide. Sometimes there are medical reasons and it's difficult to argue their right to die.
The thing is though, living people have to clean up the aftermath. To bad people aren't willing to get into a bodybag to make it easy, or at least be thoughtful enough like this couple to warn of possible toxic fume exposure.
Last time I checked, you only get to live one time. I'm having fun till the end. Regardless.
Posted by: vagrant | May 06, 2008 at 07:51 AM
A few instances is a bit of an understatement. There have been over 50, and they've been averaging over 2 a day recently (today there was also a 17 year old boy). Apparently, it's become the current trendy way to commit suicide in Japan, with web sites featuring instructions and print out warning signs. The warning signs really don't do much... it's hard to miss H2S because of the odour and it still means people having to be evacuated (making it one of the more selfish ways to commit suicide). Doing it in a car (instead of an apartment) is probably the most notable thing here about trying to keep from affecting other people. The 17 year old boy also took steps to prevent the gas from affecting others... he used a plastic bag.
Posted by: Brent Ross | May 06, 2008 at 02:55 PM