Summary
In this engaging episode of Stuff You Should Know, the hosts delve into the sensitive and mysterious topic of the Aokigahara Forest in Japan, also known as the Suicide Forest. They begin with a trigger warning, acknowledging the gravity of the topic, and provide the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number for those who may need it.
The Aokigahara Forest, situated near Mount Fuji, is a dense and beautiful forest that emerged over a lava flow from an eruption in 864 AD. Known as the Sea of Trees, or Jukai, the forest has gained notoriety as a destination for people seeking to end their lives. The Japanese government ceased publishing suicide statistics in the mid-2010s, but the hosts speculate that the forest's association with death could be linked to the practice of aesthetic Buddhist monks who meditated in forests until they perished and mummified themselves while still alive.
The 1960s novel "Tower of Waves" by Seiicho Matsumoto, a poignant romantic tragedy, had a female protagonist commit suicide in Aokigahara Forest. This work of fiction might have contributed to the forest's reputation as a location infamous for suicides. The hosts also analyze the Western fascination with Japanese culture and its approach to suicide, discussing instances of mass hysteria and mimetic behavior leading to mass suicides in the past.
In response to the concerning issue of suicides in Aokigahara Forest, the Japanese government has implemented various preventive measures. Park employees and volunteers receive training, and security cameras are installed throughout the forest. The hosts also discuss "The Complete Suicide Manual" by Wataru Tsurumi, a controversial book that gives detailed instructions for ending one's life, with a section about the forest as the "perfect place to die." Copies of the book have sometimes been found beside suicide victims in the forest.
The episode then touches on the extensive and lasting impact on families, volunteers, and police officers who deal with recovering the remains of suicide victims in the forest. Finally, the hosts speak about ongoing suicide prevention efforts in Aokigahara Forest, including strategically placed signs with messages to reconsider such decisions and to think about their loved ones, as well as providing a helpline number.
