Masahito Fushimi, M.D., Ph.D.

The article by Dr. Sándor Kalmár, “The weekly distribution of suicides in Bács-Kiskun County, Hungary” is interesting. I would like to make some comments on this article.

First, it is interesting that there are similarities between the methods of suicide used in Akita Prefecture (Japan) and in Bács-Kiskun (Hungary). As in Bács-Kiskun (Hungary), the most common method of suicide both in the whole of Japan and in Akita Prefecture is by hanging oneself. As to why many suicides do so by hanging themselves, it may be because in Japan, “hanging” is strongly associated with the death penalty. Moreover, gun possession is prohibited in principle by the Japanese law; as such, there are only a few suicides where a firearm is used.

In addition, the economy of both Akita Prefecture and Bács-Kiskun is primarily based on agriculture. In other words, Akita Prefecture is quite rural. Therefore, there are few high-rise buildings and the public transportation network (e.g., subways) is limited. Consequently, few suicides in Akita Prefecture do so by “jumping from a height” and “jumping in front of a coming vehicle.” Further, as in Bács-Kiskun, in certain settlements of Akita Prefecture, it can be said that hanging themselves is almost the only method used.

The trend of the weekly distribution of suicides shown by Dr. Kalmár, especially those in recent years, is similar to that of the weekly distribution of suicides in Akita Prefecture; this is interesting. Dr. Kalmár noted in his article that the factors influencing the weekly distribution of suicides in his county are not medical but first of all social ones. I agree with his opinion. However, social and medical factors cannot be separate: they are related. For example, on the hypothesis that people tend to sleep until late morning on a holiday, the trend is a social factor. However, because of this trend, the number of people who will be witness to the break of dawn on a holiday decreases. Therefore, it is possible that people may get influenced by their biological rhythms or hormonal changes (patterns), which are medical (biological) factors. Consequently, I think that it is necessary to consider both social and medical (biological) factors.

The Japanese government has released the data on the weekly distribution of suicides. The data are as follows:

Related articles

1. Sándor Kalmár: The weekly distribution of suicides in Bács-Kiskun County, Hungary.
2. Masahito Fushimi: The weekly distribution of suicides in Akita Prefecture, Japan.