What is euthanasia? Basic knowledge Passive euthanasia (death with dignity, death peacefully, etc.) Japan's outdated customs, cruel life-prolonging treatment
- リップディー（RiP:D)
- Sep 22
- 4 min read
[What is euthanasia? Basic knowledge: Passive euthanasia]
In the previous article, we explained about active euthanasia (also known as "merciful death").
*Click here for the article on active euthanasia → ★★★★★
Here we will briefly explain passive euthanasia .
The key words are themes that you may have heard of, such as life-prolonging treatment and dignified death .
Passive Euthanasia
First, there's something I want you all to remember.
Often on the streets
What is the difference between euthanasia and dignified death?
You may hear this phrase, but please forget about it for now .
There is certainly some overlap between the two, but they are fundamentally completely different .
Furthermore, the term "death with dignity" is highly ambiguous .
The expressions seem to be somewhat influenced by classical Japanese literature, and are emotional and have no connection to the clinical setting or to the public who receives medical services.
So when you hear the term "death with dignity," try not to get caught up in a single word, but to think of it as a phrase .
Discontinuing or withholding treatment due to life expectancy
Just remember this phrase and you'll be fine.
It would be easier to understand if you placed particular emphasis on the word "lifespan."
In many cases, the topic of dignified death comes up in conjunction with the issue of so-called " life-prolonging treatment " (the term life-prolonging treatment is also very vague...or more accurately, life-prolonging measures ).
The issues that arise from these themes, such as the cessation or withholding of life-sustaining treatment , and the people who fall into these categories, should be understood to be those ( mostly elderly ) who appear in the image below.
To briefly explain, persistent vegetative state is
"Elderly people who are bedridden and stare at the ceiling all day long"
"Of course, they can't talk or move around on their own."
"I can't eat on my own, so I get nutrition through a gastrostomy and an IV."
For ordinary people who have no prior experience with medical care, nursing care, or welfare, this is an extremely cruel and shocking sight .
For many people, these feelings will arise spontaneously.
"I wonder...um...is there any meaning to life?"
"I mean, can you say he's alive?"
I think you might have the following impression.
*I think that is a natural way of thinking that people would have , but there are people who criticize it as being "insensitive," "my heart is still beating," and "discriminatory (?)."
These people can be broadly described as people who want to maintain their reputation, interests and religion, but we will explain this in a separate article.
Shortly before 2010 (to be precise, it has been quite some time since then) , a tone of voice began to spread in society that said, "Isn't it wrong to prolong life, which is cruel and pointless no matter how you look at it?" However, this custom (which is also a breeding ground for medical vested interests - the " life-prolonging treatment scheme ") continues to this day.
The themes of dignified death and life-prolonging treatment originally originated from the issue of bedridden elderly people. In fact, this has arisen as a social problem based on the situation shown in the image above.
So remember the article on active euthanasia ...
This is a topic that has nothing to do with active euthanasia.
Therefore, our association does not often address issues such as dignified death.
I recommend that you do your own research. There is a ton of related information online and in books.
Incidentally, this situation will have ended around the world by 2015 at the latest. In other words, it is a problem (custom) unique to Japan .
It is certainly a topic that is related to the vulnerability of end-of-life care in Japan,
As explained above, it is similar to but not the same as active euthanasia .
(However, there is one close connection: those who oppose euthanasia are a group that even denies the right to die with dignity and supports the prolongation of life ... in that respect, there is a deep connection .)
As shown in the diagram at the beginning, passive euthanasia is,
"Humans are creatures that age and eventually die"
Therefore, if the situation has reached a point where even an amateur (non-medical professional) can tell that the patient is nearing the end of their life , medical intervention should not be forced through, such as a gastrostomy or intravenous drip, but rather , the patient should be put to ease.
"We refrain from aggressive medical treatment and switch to a soft landing towards death...to put it bluntly, we "guide the patient to (natural) death" ...In this sense, it is academically referred to as passive euthanasia .
However, as I mentioned, in 2015, in other countries, it was no longer considered "torture and abuse medical treatment," so the term "passive" is no longer necessary, and it remains in academic circles lol.
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However, for some reason, Japan is the only country where it continues to be practiced . In fact, there are organizations that are planning to continue and promote it. I would like to introduce them at some point.
For your reference, we have included some images to show you what a " live scene of life-sustaining treatment " is like, so please take a look.
(As an aside, the author decided to leave the medical clinical field
"Medical care that continues to practice this kind of torture and abuse is like medical care at Auschwitz concentration camps , like genocide of the elderly !"
One of the reasons is that I couldn't bear the doubts and anger...
This is a video explaining "phlegm suction" produced by "Mufumufu Channel." (Permission to use has been obtained.)
This is a video explaining about "bedsores" produced by "Mufumufu Channel." (Permission to use has been obtained.)
"Humans are creatures that age and eventually die"
"Humans have a lifespan"
If you keep these two phrases in mind and take the following measures and preparations,
You will have a " good end . "
In any case, all you need to do is 1) create a living will and 2) hold a family meeting .
For more information on passive euthanasia (i.e., the topic of life-prolonging treatment), please refer to the video by "Mufumufu Channel." Everything is explained in detail and in a relaxed manner.
Next, we will explain indirect euthanasia.
Indirect Euthanasia
(Palliative Care and Sedation)
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