Over the decades, societies around the world have tried to cope with mounting social issues in their unique manner. Japan and Canada are two intriguing examples. While Japan is famed for its hardworking ethos often resulting in excessive work stress, Canada has been confronting a rising death toll from opioid toxicity.
Japan, recognized for a culture instilled with Shachiku: a work ethic bordering work addiction, has been struggling with a high-stressed environment for years. This seemingly simple facet of Japanese daily life has nurtured a troubling reality. Unchecked stress wreaks havoc on mental health leading, in some instances, to life's premature end.
To combat the pressing issue, the country has implemented measures such as emergency hotlines and safety fences around train stations. Despite these precautions, the toll continues to rise, as reflected in the shocking count of approximately 21,881 suicides in 2022, averaging 17.5 cases per 100,000 individuals. That's twice as high as the world average. This, unfortunately, reflects the intense lacuna between systemic pressure and mental wellness in the nation's socio-economic narrative.
On the other side of the world, Canada, under the Trudeau administration, has been grappling with its drugs problem. An interesting choice was made in 2018 when recreational use of marijuana was legalized; a strategy aimed at combating drug trafficking and promoting safer drug use. Fast forward five years into Trudeau's administration, and the issue of opioid-related deaths looms large in Canada's socio-economic landscape.
Despite the government's effort to control such narcotics-driven fatalities, the opioid death toll has been persistently rising. The year 2022 registered a tragic total of 7,328 opioid toxicity deaths, which translates to 18.32 per 100,000 individuals. This regrettable reality could potentially turn into a haunting social issue that will shape Canada's societal narrative for the years to come.
The larger question is why so many Canadians are flocking into marijuana. While the case of Japan is well-examined; the low self-esteem and obsession towards work, the case in Canada is little discussed.
In conclusion, both Japan and Canada, despite their distinct cultural and social contexts, are facing their own versions of widespread social crises. The models these countries are using to address their respective issues are largely experimental, the results of which are yet to be fully measured.
What remains constant is the dire need for social policies that prioritize mental health and safer drug use education in both nations. Striking a balance between work and life in Japan, and managing substance use in Canada, signifies the tipping point to tackle these escalating social issues. The ongoing battle against these challenges sheds light on the inherent social costs of development, making it indispensable for social policy strategies to evolve in line with changing social contexts.