Yoko Yamashita complains about the use of Japanese stereotypes

Too much emphasis on the samurai spirit

I am puzzled and surprised by the sudden leap of argument and odd cultural stereotypes mentioned in the case study on Japan (What is depression and why is it rising?, The briefing, 4 June).

Samurai, seppuku and harakiri are western people’s favourite stereotypes about Japan, usually implying that its people are inscrutable, if not weird.

I am flabbergasted that not only are these stereotypes printed in Guardian in 2018, but also that it is suggested that the samurai spirit has got something to do with suicide.

There are many sociocultural reasons for the current high suicide rates in Japan, but I am pretty confident that the samurai have very little to do with it.

Yoko Yamashita

London

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