title: Internet suicide in Japan: a qualitative content analysis of a suicide bulletin board.
abstract: Netto shinju, or Internet group suicide, is a contemporary form of Japanese suicide where strangers connect on the Internet and make plans to commit suicide together. In the past decade, numerous incidents have occurred whereby young Japanese make contact on the Internet, exchange tips on suicide methods, and make plans to meet offline for group/individual suicide. A systematic qualitative content/thematic analysis of online communications posted on a popular Japanese suicide bulletin board yielded a textured, thematic understanding of this phenomenon. Themes identified reflected Shneidman's theory of suicide but with an emphasis on interpersonal concerns that are embedded in Japanese culture.
authors.affiliation: Belmont Center for Comprehensive Treatment of the Einstein Healthcare Network, USA.
authors.forename: Ai
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ikunaga
authors.forename: Sanjay R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Nath
authors.forename: Kenneth A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Skinner
mesh_terms: D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007564:Japan / Q000208:ethnology; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012944:Social Support; D013405:Suicide / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology
keywords: Internet suicide; Japan; netto shinju; qualitative content analysis