What is euthanasia？ Three categories and the current situation around the world *The stagnation of end-of-life care in Japan
- リップディー（RiP:D)
- Sep 24
- 2 min read
[What is euthanasia? Three categories and the current situation around the world]
I explained that in Japan, when referring to the term "euthanasia," it is classified into the three categories above.
If you keep this diagram in mind, you'll be able to follow most discussions about euthanasia.
If you still don't understand,
There are three types of euthanasia:
1. Deciding the "timing of death" of one's own will (active euthanasia)
2. Cruel life-prolonging measures are bad and should not be performed (passive euthanasia)
3. Proper implementation of sedation in palliative care (indirect euthanasia)
In a nutshell, remember that these can be explained in three categories:
However, in the world now,
2. Cruel life-prolonging measures are not good and should not be performed
3. Proper implementation of sedation in palliative care
The current situation is that these are " obvious things! "
Life-prolonging treatment is considered abuse , and passive euthanasia is an obsolete term that is no longer used in clinical settings (it remains only as an academic classification).
In my previous article, I mentioned the "tragic state" of palliative care in Japan, but terminal sedation is commonly used appropriately and without hesitation as a means of care. Caring for a patient in pain is even considered shameful.
In other words, as shown in the diagram at the beginning, the issue of active euthanasia (the pros and cons of the euthanasia system) is the only main topic being discussed around the world in end-of-life care, which means that Japan is more than two laps behind .
Therefore, if we look at euthanasia (end-of-life care) from an overseas perspective, it looks like the diagram below.
Items 3 and 4 are not a problem in the world and can be deleted .
Active euthanasia (1.2.) is the only important topic .
*In recent years, there has been a tendency to clearly distinguish between "injection-type" euthanasia by a doctor (active euthanasia) and "intravenous drip-type" (assisted suicide) where the patient ends their life on their own.
In other Asian countries, such as Taiwan, South Korea, and Thailand, issues 3 and 4 have been largely resolved , and the only issue that remains is whether or not to allow active euthanasia.
Seeing this reality, our association is deeply concerned about Japan's merely "plasterwork" approach to end-of-life care , and feels a sense of crisis.
At RiP:D, we will mainly focus on active euthanasia, but we will also occasionally touch on point 4. The issue of sedation in palliative care and point 3. in the diagram above, in relation to the Death with Dignity Bill .
We will also cover English notation in a separate post.
There is still no uniformity in this regard around the world, and it varies from country to country.
*Global trends in euthanasia
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