Wataru Tsurumi's 1993 book The Complete Manual of Suicide is a controversial, best-selling Japanese text that has never been officially published in English, making any online PDF or ZIP files unverified fan translations. The book presents a clinical, matter-of-fact look at various methods while attempting to explore themes of life, death, and social pressures, leading to bans and legal restrictions in Japan.
Critics have argued that The Complete Manual of Suicide poses a significant risk to individuals who are struggling with suicidal thoughts. The book's detailed descriptions of various suicide methods, including graphic and explicit content, have been criticized for being potentially triggering and influential.
This move infuriated Tsurumi, who believed the book was most vital for young people to read. He told the press: "They need it more than anyone. It is important that people realise that suicide is not wrong. It is the right of every individual to kill themselves". Wataru Tsurumi's 1993 book The Complete Manual of
| Assessment Category | Description | | :--- | :--- | | | Estimated level of physical suffering involved | | Preparation | Effort, knowledge, and difficulty required to execute | | Corpse Appearance | The aesthetic state of the body post-mortem | | Disturbance to Others | The degree of inconvenience or trauma for those who may find the body or clean up | | Lethality | The statistical probability of success, rated from one to five skulls |
Websites like Find A Helpline can connect you with support services in your specific country. The book's detailed descriptions of various suicide methods,
: For a formal research paper, you should search for "suicide manual Wataru Tsurumi" on Google Scholar or JSTOR.
The reaction in Japan was swift and intense. Because the Japanese criminal code primarily censors explicit sexual content, the government could not outright ban the book for its violent or suicidal subject matter. Instead, local prefectures took action. Eight prefectures designated the book as yugaitosho ("book harmful to youth"), which restricted its sale to minors. In an effort to preempt stricter regulations, the publisher, Ota Shuppan, voluntarily placed seals on the book's cover warning that it was unsuitable for under-18s. It is important that people realise that suicide
If you're experiencing thoughts of suicide or are in distress, please reach out to a trusted friend, family member, or a professional who can provide support. There are resources and people who care and want to help.
Tsurumi's personal history is crucial to understanding his motivations. He has stated that he himself contemplated suicide during his high school years. Tsurumi claimed he "survived" by reading the works of authors like Osamu Dazai and Ryūnosuke Akutagawa, who had taken their own lives. This intimate familiarity with suicidal ideation shaped his unconventional belief that preparing for death could, paradoxically, make life more bearable.
