p2p news / p2pnet: A total of nine people were found dead in cars and, "All nine died of carbon monoxide poisoning after lighting charcoal burners inside the sealed vehicles," said a Japan Times story in 2004.

It went on, "Authorities are hesitant to crack down on the sites because doing so would infringe on people’s freedom of expression. Some have said the sites serve to prevent suicides by providing a forum for people to discuss their problems.

"The nine apparently all met through a Web site run by a 34-year-old woman. The suicide-related sections of her site have since been shut down."

Now, the number of Japanese who killed themselves in online suicide pacts rose sharply last year, says the BBC, going on:

"Increasing numbers of young people in Japan are feeling alienated by modern life. Several thousand are termed ‘hikikomori’ – recluses who never leave their room, finding entertainment only on the internet."

Suicide is widely discussed topic on many sites in Japan, “and there’s even a guidebook to the best places to kill yourself,” says the story.

Police statistics showed 34 internet-arranged suicide pacts were recorded last year, says the story, adding:

"But the number of cases may now be falling. Twenty of the 34 cases took place in the first three months of last year, before internet service providers started working with the authorities to tackle the problem.

"The suicide pacts still make up a relatively small proportion of Japan’s suicides. More than 34,000 Japanese took their own lives in 2003, according to the National Police Agency – an increase of more than 7% from the previous year."

Also See:
Japan Times – 3 Web sites not breaking any laws, October 15, 2004
BBC – Web suicide pacts surge in Japan, February 9, 2006

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