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67 Oscar Wilde said, ‘To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.’ Who are we to say no to people who decide that they have lived enough and come to Aokigahara to finish their existence? S u b c u l t u r e o f e s c a p i s m In Japan, historically, the highborn committed “sep- puku” to protect their honor: They preferred to sacrifice their life rather than live in shame. Seppuku in premodern Japan had its origins in the samurai bushido honor code. Samurai preferred to die with honor rather than live with the shame of losing a battle or surrendering. Women also committed suicide; “jigaki” was committed by wives after their samurai husbands committed seppuku. “It’s true, Japan practiced honor killings. The difference is that the victims did the killing themselves, in the name of honor and pride,” remarked Hiroyuki Matsumoto, a Japanese friend of mine. “In historical times, death was everywhere. War, disease, suffering — it affected every- body, from rich to poor. Suicide was an honorable way out when there were no other options available.” The two leading causes of modern-day suicide in Japan are economic hardship and clinical depression, but the stigma attached to mental health is still very strong and prevents many people from seeking help, he added. Still, modern medicine, social services and support systems lead the Japanese to live longer and better. As standards of living increase, suicide rates have declined. “The Western view of suicide as something to be ashamed of, as something very dark and very bad, is be- ginning to take hold in Japan as well,” my friend contin - ued. “While suicide is still tolerated in Japan, the way it’s being perceived is changing, from something honorable and morally acceptable in earlier centuries to an act that now can be also labeled as selfish and desperate.” Aokigahara is a beautiful forest, with caves, lakes and stunning views. It does feel spooky at times, but that could just be the imagination. Oscar Wilde said, “To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.” Who are we to say no to people who decide that they have lived enough and come to Aokigahara to finish their existence? Perception of the place depends on us and us only. And in my perception, it is above all the magnificent beauty of the forest that makes it worth visiting.