Honor suicide

Suicide
Social aspects Altruistic suicide Benevolent suicide Copycat Epidemic Euthanasia Legislation Philosophy Religious views Right to die
Suicide crisis Assessment of risk Crisis hotline (list) Intervention Prevention Suicide watch
Suicide types Assisted Bullying and suicide Copycat Familicide Forced Honor Internet Mass Murder–suicide Prisoner suicide Pact Suicide attack
Suicide methods Asphyxiation Hanging Train Cop Seppuku
Epidemiology Among LGBT youth Gender differences Suicide rates Youth suicide
History List of suicides Suicide in antiquity List of suicides in the 21st century
In warfare Banzai charge Kamikaze Suicide attack Suicide mission
Related phenomena Suicide attempt Locations Ideation Self-harm Suicide note Suicide terminology
By country Bangladesh Canada China France Greenland India Iran Japan Lithuania Pakistan Russia South Korea Ukraine United Kingdom United States
Organizations Compassion & Choices Death with Dignity National Center Dignitas Exit International Final Exit Network Hemlock Society

Honor suicide is a process whereby a person commits suicide to escape the shame of an immoral action, such as having had extra-marital sexual relations or defeat in battle. It is distinguished from regular suicide in that the subject is actively deciding to either privately or publicly kill themselves for the sake of restoring or protecting honor. Some honor suicides are a matter of personal choice and are devoid of any cultural context. For example, honor suicides have been committed by military figures when faced with defeat, such as Władysław Raginis and Hans Langsdorff.

Japan has a long history of suicide in its culture. Seppuku is a type of ritual suicide that was practiced by samurai to avoid capture. During World War 2, both Banzai charges and Kamikaze attacks were suicidal types of attacks used against the enemy. Suicides in Japan are also often used to atone for wrongdoing.

See also

• Honor killing
• Forced suicide
• Seppuku