The assassination of Shinzo Abe in Japan by a man evidently with a mental illness does raise questions on a number of fronts. It’s worthwhile looking at the tone of public conversations even in countries like Australia which doesn’t have a history of violence against elected representatives. Egging is commonplace enough not to need explanation, however, and it’s just a step up in the level of violence to get to shooting. Guns being more accessible in Australia than in Japan it’s not hard to see how this might happen, so Karen Andrews, a Coalition politician, is right in expressing concern on this account.
The other problem that needs addressing is that Japan largely ignores mental health in its conversations about itself. More awareness in this regard might’ve prevented the accused from making his weapon and plotting Abe’s demise. Mental illness is unfortunately endemic in Japan and the burden on families is even larger than it is in Australia because people feel so much shame.
It’s good to ask someone if they’re “Ok”, but we should also try to moderate our expressions on social media so that they aren’t triggering. Violent expressions of negative emotion can be damaging because they fray the social fabric and remove supports that people often need to get through the day. In the case of the man who is said to have shot Abe-san, you have to wonder how he managed to remain secluded in his home accessing lethal materials and assembling a powerful weapon, for so long. Why wasn’t he flagged as a threat earlier? How did his case fester for so long that he was able to construct a gun out of jerry-rigged materials in the privacy of his own home?
An awareness of the stresses that life exerts on the mental capacities of individuals would help in both cases. It’s not enough to find people you agree with and reward their pronouncements, roping in an enlarged group of like-minded people. You also have to be aware of the potential harm your behaviour is causing people with different views. Someone who feels excluded and marginalised is more likely to lash out in a brazen fashion and cause harm to someone else, so in a way your conduct is resulting in damage. Be more mindful of the consequences of your actions, and try to find common cause even with people you disagree with. Let’s formulate a better society, and not entrench divisions that have historical roots. Let’s make Abe-san’s death mean something.
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