Trend of homicide–suicide in Kanagawa Prefecture (Japan): Comparison with western countries

Abstract

We examined 169 deceased persons and 76 homicide-suicide cases reported in Japan's Kanagawa Prefecture from 1999 to 2011. The relationships between homicide-suicide perpetrators and homicide victims; the numbers of victims; their age, sex, causes and places of death; motivation; and the presence or absence of a suicide note were extracted and examined. The relationship between homicide-suicide perpetrators and homicide victims was examined based on findings from the following: 24 married couples (31%), 22 parents and children aged ≥18 years (29%), 19 parents and children aged ≤17 years (25%), seven families (9%), two couples (3%) and two miscellaneous relationships (3%). The perpetrators comprised 39 men and 40 women, with a mean age of 51.6 years. The victims comprised 39 men and 51 women, with a mean age of 35.4 years. In our study, approximately half of the perpetrators were female, which differed greatly from the reports from Western countries, where most perpetrators were male. Homicide-suicides among married couples accounted for a higher proportion of overall homicide-suicide deaths in Western countries. In Japan, homicide-suicide occurred more frequently with parents and children. Cases in which a mother committed suicide after having killed her young children accounted for a high proportion of these deaths. Because these events occur so frequently in Japan, we recommend making particular efforts to reduce homicide-suicides among mothers and children.

A Descriptive Study of the Characteristics of Homicide-Suicide in Forensic Autopsy Cases

“…Among those below 18 years involved in HS, mothers were the most common perpetrators, and the most common cause of death was strangulation, which is consistent with the previous study in Japan (Satoh & Osawa, 2016). In the present study, the mean age of child victims was 6.0 years (0-12 years), which is similar to those reported in previous studies (Hatters Friedman, 2005;Logan et al, 2013;Satoh & Osawa, 2016).…”

“…In 2021, 54 deaths by child abuse and 29 deaths from "Muri-shinju" perpetrated by their guardians were reported (National Police Agency, 2022). The incidence rate of HS was reported as 0.06 (0.03-0.11) in Kanagawa prefecture between 1998 and 2011, and when compared with Western Europe, where male perpetrators generally predominated HS between parents and children, females accounted for half of the perpetrators (Satoh & Osawa, 2016). Although "Muri-shinju" is often reported in the media as being due to caregiver fatigue or the disability of the involved persons, there is a scarcity of research on these issues in Japan.…”

Psychiatric and Other Contributing Factors in Homicide-Suicide Cases, from Northern Gauteng, South Africa Over a Six-Year Period

“…Shooting is the most frequently used method of both homicide and suicide in most Western countries (almost 90% of all cases in the United States) (Eliason, 2009). In China and Japan, the most frequent methods used are strangulation/hanging and stabbing (Chan et al, 2003;Satoh & Osawa, 2016). Cross-national differences in the availability of firearms may explain international variations of homicide-suicide rates and patterns, and restricted access to guns may be one of the most potent ways to prevent HS and other lethal intentional violence (Liem, Barber, Markwalder, Killias & Nieuwbeerta, 2011;Malphurs et al, 2001).…”

Homicide–suicide: practical implications for risk reduction and support services at primary care level

“…5,15,18,32 In China and Japan, the most frequent methods used are strangulation/ hanging and stabbing. 9,33 Cross-national differences in the availability of firearms may explain international variations of HS rates and patterns, and restricted access to guns may be one of the most potent ways to prevent HS and other lethal intentional violence. 24,34,35 The far-reaching effects of HS were evident in family, friends and SAPS members who have to investigate these events.…”