In Japan, where the book was originally published, there have been debates about the book's impact on society and the need for regulation. While freedom of expression is a fundamental right, there is a growing consensus that it is essential to balance this right with measures to protect vulnerable individuals and prevent harm.
From the start, Tsurumi has defended his work. In the book’s postscript, he writes: “To think that at the worst crucial moment, one can escape from the pain by committing suicide, one can live for the moment easier. So by distributing this book, I want to make this stifling society an easier place to live. That is the goal of this book. And I never intend to encourage readers to commit suicide.” In Japan, where the book was originally published,
: Tsurumi wrote the book as a reaction against the social pressure to "live strong." He argued that knowing one could "escape" at any moment might actually make a stifling life easier to bear. In the book’s postscript, he writes: “To think