Life

From time to time, you hear the announcement on a commuter train in Tokyo.

"The train service has been suspended due to an accident involving a passenger" on some line.

In many such cases, a passenger threw himself in front of a train to end his life.

In an autumn night, I had heard the announcement few minutes before I got off to change to another line.

As I walked up stairs, a police officer rushed by.

When I reached the platform, the police officer was kneeling by a man with no lower body by the train.

A short time later, the man was taken away by a rescue team, shielded by a blue plastic sheet.

I was shocked at the scene and could do nothing but look at it.

The man looked in his 30s.

I do not know him, but feel sad for him and wonder why he took his own life.

And I also feel it unfair to the people who had to end their lives because of illness, accidents...

(September 2014)