# Japan changes language around parent-child deaths

> Japan redefines suicide terms to clarify consent in child deaths.
- Title: Japan changes language around parent-child deaths | Shortify
- Summary: Japan redefines suicide terms to clarify consent in child deaths. Japan updates language to distinguish parent-child suicides from child consent.
- Keywords: japan, parent-child suicide, language change, consent, shinjū, kabuki, news, politics, world, changes, language, around
- Source: The Japan Times — https://japantimes.co.jp/life/2026/10/05/language/abuse-language-japan-change
- Author: Yaeko Kabe
- Published: 2026-10-04T17:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: japan, parent-child suicide, language change, consent, shinjū, kabuki, news, politics, world
## Film 'Kokuho' uses term
The film 'Kokuho' features the term 心中 (shinjū, lovers' suicide) from Japan's theatrical work 'Sonezaki Shinjū'.

> 「国宝」 (Kokuho, "National Treasure")
## Historical context of shinjū
Written by Chikamatsu Monzaemon (1653-1724), 'Sonezaki Shinjū' was first performed as a bunraku puppet play in 1703.

> 「曽根崎心中」 (Sonezaki Shinjū, "The Love Suicides at Sonezaki")
## Shinjū means multiple deaths
The term 心中 (shinjū) describes lovers' suicides in literature and theater, with 心中物 (shinjūmono) for a category of such plays.

> 心中物 (shinjūmono)
## Parent-child suicide term
The term appears in expressions like 一家心中 (ikka shinjū, family suicide), 親子心中 (oyako shinjū, parent-child suicide), and 無理心中 (muri shinjū, murder-suicide).

> 親子心中 (oyako shinjū, parent-child suicide)
## Consent question
Can such deaths be considered suicides if the child is not old enough to consent?

> But can such deaths be considered suicides if the child is not old enough to consent?
## Key takeaway

Japan updates language to distinguish parent-child suicides from child consent.