I've heard that a few days ago a eldery immolated himself in a train and also 2 ended being killed because of his act plus many more injured. They said that the guy was alone for years.
The story was kind of different. First the guy started to offer what he had to others such as all his money and cigarettes. He then told everyone to get out of the carriage shouting that he was going to set himself alight. He then doused himself in paraffin and set light to himself. The other who died was a woman. She died of inhaling the smoke. This all took place on a Shinkansen.
It's strange how they have words to describe these unfortunate people and yet they are not spoken about.
That's Japan for you. If you pretend you can't see it then it doesn't excist. In Japan people don't help because they don't want to get involved. In that sense Japanese people are real arse holes. Of course, not all are like that but most are. The other day (true story!) the missus and I were driving along a quiet road when we came across a small white van stopped horizontal across the other side of the road. I noticed two circular smash marks on the windscreen where it looked as if the occupants had smashed their heads against it. Not one person slowed down to help. Even my wife didn't want to stop! I made her stop and took a look in to the van. Sure enough two elderly people were inside. They were alive but not in great condition. We called the ambulance and police. The old couple were taken to hospital. I have no idea what happened to them but I guess they are fine. Just a bit sore and bruised I'd imagine.
That type of behavior is pretty common. "It's not my problem, I would not be of any help" Same type of thinking that justifies a large crowd of well-off pedestrians ignoring a small handful of not-so-well-off homeless people. Many tend to be afraid of straying from predestined tracks (go to work, go to the store, beat traffic, make it home before X o'clock, etc). Maybe people rationalize that this sort of looping tunnel vision will prevent hypothetical worst-case scenarios from rising, increasing their overall chances of surviving longer so that they can loop through another day. You may very well have saved these people's lives.
I think that mentality and lifestyle is the whole premise of that Paranoia Agent anime... It's actually rather well done.
Sad when someone dies without anyone around to give support in those last hours; everyone dies alone (at least when by natural causes) however sad when no-one cares enough to even notice.
This is the kind of end I imagine for myself. I would probably be classed as a hikikomori (unless there is another word for my situation), although I do go out I have very little contact with others due to social anxiety.
Me too, either for me or my wife, whoever dies last. We have no children and everyone else we know are much older than us, eg parents.
Indeed, however didn't happen, and we're too old now to want kids; i'm nearly 50. In saying that, we wouldn't be in a position of early retirement in a couple of years time if we did have kids - i'd have to work until too old to enjoy my retirement!
Bummer once you start to get old. I'll be 40 this year and only now I'm wondering what have I done in the past 40 years. It really makes you think ahead too.
Life begins at 40 Yakumo, and it seems true; you have the life experience to know how things are going and will map out and also still young enough to enjoy it, it's a good age. I guess though when you're in 60's however one starts to feel more mortal and vulnerable as it starts the process of going noticeably downhill from there onwards.
Yes. When you are in your teens and early 20's you think you're invincible, mid 20's your brain if fully developed and the last part that forms, ie the issue of "consequence" makes you realise the world around you; in your 30's you continue to build your career and settle down if you haven't already, 40's you tend to have your path set out and know where life is going - and still young enough to enjoy it "life begins at 40'". Things take longer to do and things are harder to learn. 50's (i'm not far off that milestone) I guess you're continuing the path of your 40's although feeling a bit creakier and slower with things and preparing for retirement; 60's I guess you're trying to do what you want to while "still young enough" to, and after that realising with each year passing an increased sense of mortality and finding things progressively harder to do. Also, more and more people you know die, making you feel older too. Yes, getting older sucks. I used to have a lovely head of hair, now it's thinned out, have a big balding patch and i'm going grey.
When you say "too old now" I assume it's difficulties conceiving? I hope that's not too person but if that is the reason and you and your significant other decide you might want to give parenting a go, there are some fantastic kids stuck in care homes who are just waiting to be given a proper go at life and would be extremely grateful to be adopted. Two of my extended family just adopted a young lad and he was so glad to be out of there, he wasn't in normal schooling and is now flying through education in the real system, he's also an absolute gem, lovely and polite and is practically a biological son.
Thats a sad read... we (me and my wife) just moved in a nice house, but we keep a eye out for one neighbor cause she isnt seeing so great, older (70ish) and lonely. her kids come over once in a while but the car is now collecting plants and dust. Garden looks ok, but we promised ourselves to keep an eye out. especially because these "Kodokushi" do happen in europe too. Think she is liking company of her family... but many cases can go different.