Nov 11, 2017 (NHK) - Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga has instructed ministers to step up measures against inappropriate websites that deal with suicide.
On Friday, the ministers met to discuss how to respond to an alleged serial murder case in which social network sites were used. Police last month discovered 9 dismembered bodies in a man's apartment in Zama, near Tokyo.
Suga said the suspect is thought to have skillfully taken advantage of the mental conditions of his victims, who posted their death wishes on social networking sites, including Twitter. He called the acts despicable.
He said the details of the acts must be thoroughly clarified to help prevent recurrences.
Suga directed the ministers to study the spread of suicide websites and to cooperate with web operators and related authorities. He asked them to step up measures to delete or restrain problematic sites.
Suga also urged them to help young people find appropriate counseling when they express the desire to commit suicide online.
