In Japan, there’s a well-known place for suicides – the Toujinbou cliff. People from all over Japan come here to commit suicide.
I read a moving story about the Toujinbou cliff in Reader's Digest latest issue. In 2003, there was a Japanese police officer named Shige Yukio who was patrolling one night in the Toujinbou area. He saw a couple with wrists that were wrapped in bloodied hankies. He approached them and asked them what they were doing. The couple said they were waiting for the sunset to jump off the cliff. Apparently, they amassed debts when their business failed. Shige talked to them and tried to convince them not to jump. He told them that they should consult the authorities and get help.
Five days later, Shige received a letter from the couple saying that they already approached the social security agency but were turned away and that they didn’t have any choice left. He later learned that the couple hanged themselves.
Years after, Shige still feels sad and angry over the incident. He tried to bring the couple’s letter to the government and got the same response.
With his own money, he decided to put up a teahouse near the Toujinbou cliff so people contemplating on committing suicide can go for counseling. He and some volunteers patrol the area everyday and try to identify likely candidates (a telling sign is when a person isn’t looking at the view). Once they’ve identified a candidate, they try to strike a conversation and invite the person to the teahouse to to talk and enjoy some Japanese comfort food – tea and mochi. Other than counseling, they also help suicide survivors get social welfare support, find temporary housing and get jobs.
To date, his group has so far prevented 240 suicides. Two hundred forty individuals who have decided to give life another shot, thanks to Shige and his volunteers.
May there be more kind souls like Shige. :)
