Coverage of suicides a problem in Japan

This year has seen much debate about how the media report suicides following the claims of a suicide cult fed by social networking sites in Swansea.

In Japan there have been a spate of suicides using hydrogen sulphide gas which have been extensively reported by the Japanese media in some graphic detail,including how to make the gas.

Not surprisingly they have come in for criticism as have the internet sites that provide information on how to make the gas.

Some have argued that the media should stop reporting on the trend altogether to break the current cycle,others that they should simply stick to the guidelines.