Question from a reader:
Is assisted suicide a lesser form of murder?

Is Assisted Suicide a Lesser Form of Murder? A Legal Perspective

Hello everyone. Recently, there has been an increase in discussions about legal topics, and we have been hearing the term “assisted suicide” more often. Today, I would like to think together about the difficult theme of whether “assisted suicide”
can indeed be considered a lesser form of murder.

What is Assisted Suicide?

First, let’s review what assisted suicide is. This refers to a situation where a person consents to being killed by another person, resulting in their actual death. There are several differences from regular murder under Japanese law. For example, if someone says, “I no longer feel any meaning in living, so I want you to kill me,” and another person kills them based on that consent, what happens to the perpetrator in this case? Under Japanese criminal law, murder generally carries severe penalties, but assisted suicide may be treated differently.

Legal Perspective

Now, regarding whether assisted suicide is a lesser form of murder, the conclusion is that it cannot simply be stated as “yes.” This is largely dependent on the interpretation of the law and actual court cases. In the case of assisted suicide, the fact that the perpetrator has obtained the “victim’s consent” is significant. However, just because there was consent does not necessarily mean that the punishment will be lighter. For instance, even if a murder was committed with consent, the law questions whether “the consent was serious and based on free will.” In other words, the validity of the consent and whether the victim was under emotional distress are considered.

Actual Case Study

Let’s look at an actual case. A news report covered a shocking incident of assisted suicide where a young woman entrusted her life to another person and was killed. The perpetrator, seeing the woman in pain, said, “I will help you,” and the woman accepted the offer. In court, the perpetrator’s motive was considered to be “wanting to save the woman,” and thus it was treated as assisted suicide. However, the jury carefully examined the background of the case. Ultimately, the perpetrator received a certain degree of leniency, but there was also strong social condemnation, and they were ordered to pay compensation and perform community service. Thus, assisted suicide is not merely a lesser form of murder but requires complex legal evaluation.

My Thoughts and Feelings

Personally, when I think about assisted suicide, I feel a very complex mix of emotions. The idea that murder is chosen as a means to alleviate someone’s genuine suffering is, to be honest, a very difficult issue. We contemplate the “value of life” daily, but is it truly right to entrust that to another person? I find it hard to arrive at an answer. In such cases, the law may seem cold, but the reality is that human emotions and backgrounds are intricately intertwined. That is why the issue of how to handle assisted suicide within the legal framework cannot be easily answered.

In Conclusion

I believe that assisted suicide cannot be simply categorized as a lesser form of murder. However, due to the many variables involved in its interpretation and application, it should be handled with care on a case-by-case basis. The law can sometimes be more flexible than we think, and at other times, it is strict. I believe it is important for each of us to consider how we face this complex issue. Next time, I would like to explore another legal topic. Please take some time to think about this theme as well. The law is deeply connected to our lives. Until we meet again!