Regarding Tomoko Otake's June 18 article, "The safety nets for would-be suicides": I am very happy to learn of the advances on this important issue in Japan. Legal progress and the increasing number of advocates and safety networks are really the way to improve this unbearable situation. Coming from abroad, I feel that what is lacking in this society is love for and interest in others. Positive feelings for enjoying what surrounds us and valuing the beauty of every new day is something I would like to share with others.
More than once I have thought, if I could work with a nonprofit organization on this issue, if I could share how difficulties make us stronger. But my Japanese is not that good, so my role is limited — but still valuable, I think — to cheering up my language students and my Japanese friends who surround me here in Sapporo. I love this country and its people and would like them not to keep taking their lives. Excellent article and well documented. The personal testimony of the widow, especially, was very touching.