Posted by
Takeadair on Tuesday, November 27, 2007 7:36:09 PM
Actual rates of homicide and suicide in Japan.
According to Answers.com, in 2002, the last year for which figures are available, Japan had (nationwide) 1,235 homicides. That's less than the ten largest cities in the U.S., combined.
On the other hand, in the same period, the country had 53,000+ suicides. Once you figure it out relative to the respective populations of the United States and Japan, Japan had a per capita suicide rate nearly identical to that of the United States (about 1.24 per 100,000 population).
Now you might argue that there are fewer murders in Japan due to the lack of firearms in civilian hands. Or even in police hands. (The last time I looked, the police over there were still carrying .32 ACP pocket autos as uniformed service sidearms.)
But the similarity in suicide rates tends to indicate that the dynamic is something else entirely, as the lack of firearms does not seem to inconvenience those seeking to end their own lives.