"Because of Me, Even My Daughter Got Infected..." Japanese 30s Mom Who Tested Positive for COVID-19 Commits Suicide

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] In Japan, a woman in her 30s infected with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) took her own life, blaming herself for her daughter's infection.

According to Mainichi Shimbun and others on the 22nd, a woman in her 30s, identified as Ms. A, was found dead in an apartment in Tokyo on the 15th.

A note was found at the scene that read, "I am sorry for causing trouble to those around me because of me."

Ms. A, who was confirmed to have COVID-19, is believed to have been infected by her husband, who contracted the virus from a coworker.

The husband was confirmed positive first, followed by the daughter and Ms. A.

Ms. A, who was asymptomatic and quarantining at home, reportedly confessed to her husband, "I think I passed it on to our daughter," expressing her painful feelings.

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said on the 22nd, "This is truly a tragic incident," adding, "I strongly felt the need to consider the mental state of those infected. We will review measures to prevent such incidents from happening."

Meanwhile, according to statistics released by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare on the same day, the number of suicides in Japan last year was 20,919, an increase of 3.7% (750 people) compared to the previous year.

This is the first increase in the annual number of suicides in Japan in 11 years since 2009, during the global financial crisis.

Japanese media analyzed that the increase in suicides last year may be due to worsening economic conditions and environmental changes caused by the spread of COVID-19.

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