Aokigahara's deep woodlands, located northwest of Mount Fuji, have an infamous reputation as one of the world's top suicide locations. The forest, which covers 13.5 square miles, is so dense that it's commonly referred to as a "sea of trees." Despite its eerie past, the locale served as the backdrop for the terrifying horror movie The Forest. Here's a deeper look at the facts surrounding this mysterious and scary area.
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1. The Tragedy of Aokigahara as a Suicide Destination Aokigahara has a variable suicide rate; estimates imply that there are up to 100 suicides there each year. However, some bodies may lie unnoticed for years or never be located because of the forest's dense foliage.
2. Japan's Ritual Suicide Tradition Compared to other nations, Japan has a lower stigma attached to self-immolation. Although it is no longer common, the legacy of seppuku, an honorable suicide performed by samurais, may still be evident in the fact that suicide is perceived as a manner of accepting responsibility.
3. The High Suicide Rate in Japan Suicides in Japan increased by 15% during the 2008 global financial crisis and ensuing economic insecurity, culminating in March 2009. Callers to suicide prevention hotlines most frequently reported mental health and familial concerns, however financial troubles and job loss also played a part.
4. Suicide Prevention Efforts by the Government in Aokigahara The Japanese government hoped to lower suicide rates by 20% over a seven-year period by installing security cameras at Aokigahara's entrance and increasing patrols. Suicide prevention counselors and police officers have also put messages of hope and encouragement around the woodland.
5. The Naturally Unusual Forest of Aokigahara The twisted trees, roots carpeting the forest floor, and hundreds of caverns in Aokigahara give the place a gloomy and frightening vibe. The quiet of the forest, with its densely packed trees and limited fauna, contributes to the disturbing feeling.
06.Suicide Methods Popular in Japan Suicide by hanging is the most prevalent means of suicide in Japan, followed by suicide by jumping from a high location. The government has upped the height of rails and other buildings at Aokigahara to discourage suicide attempts.
7. Popular Literature's Influence on Aokigahara's Reputation Books such as Seich Matsumoto's 1960 novel "Tower of Waves" and Wataru Tsurumi's controversial 1993 work, "The Complete Manual of Suicide," have helped to cement Aokigahara's reputation as a suicide destination. The handbook, which was discovered among the belongings of some guests, described the woodland as the "ideal spot to die."
8. The Connection to Ubasute Tradition The mythology surrounding Aokigahara may be linked to the practice of ubasute, a type of euthanasia that translates as "abandoning the elderly lady." During times of famine, families purportedly drove an older relative to a secluded location where they died of malnutrition, dehydration, or exposure. While the practice is typically dismissed as folklore, it may be linked to the suicide forest.
The Haunted Suicide Forest
9. Some think that the spirits of those who were abandoned by ubasute and those who committed suicide still remain in Aokigahara, taunting tourists and tempting the lost off the trails.
