According to statistics (sourced from Wiki):

You are 119.8% more likely to kill yourself (suicide) in Japan, compared to the US.
You are 390.9% more likely to be killed by someone else (murdered) in US, compared to Japan.

Logical implications (my own speculation):

• The Japanese blame themselves for things they don't like, whereas Americans prefer to blame others.
  
• Japanese think they can end all their problems by removing themselves, whereas Americans think they can solve their issues by removing others who get in their way.
  
• In USA, you die although you didn't want to, whereas in Japan, you die because you did want to
  
• On the other hand, in Japan, you die suffering, whereas in the US, you die in a much better mood.
  
• Japanese people hate themselves, more than Americans do.
  
• Americans hate others (a lot) more than the Japanese.
  

Discuss.

Sources: 1, 2, 3

(This post was last modified: 08/09/2010 05:44 PM by ZiNgA BuRgA.)

To sum up, the Japanese are depressed and Americans are not. Then again, with intelligence comes mental problems and the most common mental problem is depression.

(08/09/2010 08:02 PM)Kana Wrote:  dood, every monday morning at rush hour in Ueno station, chances are 70% you will see someone suicide. my friend saw one last week.

I guess if it weren't for the economy, the country would install some of these...

Yup, that's pretty much how it is over here(US) lol

(08/09/2010 07:13 PM)xero1 Wrote:  To sum up, the Japanese are depressed and Americans are not.

Though I don't doubt the suicide stats of Japan, I find it hard to believe that's true, xero1.

Also, those stats make such an obvious point regarding the difference between Americans and Japanese I don't think I need to say it.

Maybe the traditions of seppuku are still being carried out?