Thread by @tkatsumi06j

In a live news show, @YaleEconomics AP #YusukeNarita asserted that the “only solution” to resolve the aging population issue in Japan is to “let elderlies commit mass suicide before they become a harm to society.”
I ask you. @Yale, is this acceptable?

@Yale Assistant Prof. Narita later said in an interview that he was only being “metaphorical,” that he meant for the elderlies to ‘depart’ on its own to make ways to their privileged position. But that’s NOT how you use the term #集団自決 (mass suicide).
minnanokaigo.com/news/special/y…

The term he used “集団自決” was commonly used during wartime for forced mass suicide by the Japanese Imperial Army, especially in #Okinawa. In other words, it is NOT a self-initiated suicide but one that is forced upon from those in power.
economics.yale.edu/people/yusuke-…

“自決” has two meanings in Japanese; 1) “the act of determining its own mind/path” and 2) the act of “killing oneself”. National self-determination is termed as “民族自決”
, whereas “自決” when used in conjunction with the mass “集団” could only mean “mass suicide.”

So however “metaphorical” the intent may have been, ‘the policy of集団自決’ your faculty member proposed as the “only solution” to a problem could only mean a systematic enforcement of mass suicide by the elderlies, enforced by those in power. @YaleEconomics, Is this acceptable?

As I recall, your law department @YaleLawSch has one the most extensive archives of the #NuremburgTrials where the #Nazi #warcrimes, including the #forcedeuthanasia against the elderlies which was executed as a matter of #nationalpolicy, were prosecuted.
avalon.law.yale.edu/subject_menus/…

In his argument, @YaleEconomics Prof. Narita presents “voluntary euthanasia” or physician-assisted suicide (PAS) as one of the ‘layers’ that construct his metaphorical use of “mass suicide”, meaning the elderlies should ‘volunteer’ to shorten their lives.
minnanokaigo.com/news/special/y…

What @Yale Prof. Narita has suggested here is a system where elderlies can willingly end/shorten their lives. PAS is still heavily debated in Japan regardless of age. And a man of his stature calling on to the elderlies (or their families) to choose to do so is only problematic.

The media channel Prof. Narita chose to speak on these thoughts (albeit in response to a question) are watched by many younger viewers. Installing these highly problemeatic ideas to the youths may have serious repercussions, even in the form of a crime.

Lastly, matricides/patricides of the elderly under homecare are increasing in today’s Japan. Prof. Narita’s remarks may or may not have impacted this trend since the comment was made a year ago. There is no way to prove the influence but the resurgent trend may. Look up 集団自決

@threadreaderapp please unroll.