How to prevent people from committing suicide in Japan

Increasing number of suicide is one of the biggest problems in our society. Because human resources are our assets to strengthen our nation’s prosperity, if we don’t take measures on this problem, we will loose competitiveness in international market. I propose two solutions here. One is for business people and the other is for school children.

First, installment of flexible evaluation system at work place. Performance based system, so called merit system has been installed in our society for the last two decades. As a negative aspect of performance based system, it generated stressful working environment. Some people lack their confidence and feel looser. Mental instability bears social withdrawal, as a worst case, it causes suicide. One solution is to install flexible evaluation system. In that system, employees can choose the evaluation system on their own ; either merit system or fixed salary system. The fixed salary system can alleviate mentally vulnerable employee’s pressure in order not to be rushed. For example, one of my subordinates who left our office for a while due to mental depression confessed me that he would have chosen the fixed salary system. He was willing to accept low wage even if he could bear outstanding fruits. Compromising is better than being rushed.

Second, establishment of counseling body for school children.
As study shows, the organization formed by trainee teacher, university student
majoring in psychology and graduated student. The point is that they are
young and close to the age of bullied victims. According to the report
from Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, many bullied victims are not willing to come to their parents or teachers for help. In stead, they feel comfortable to tell the truth to senior associate. In most cases, this is all that the victim wants and needs. The organization inform the parents of the victim and of the bully and discuss possible solutions with them. I believe that this system could prevent the bullied victims from committing suicide.

In conclusion, we need to take measures to prevent suicides so as to strengthen our nation’s prosperity for adults and children.