The Paradox of Freedom: Do We Have the "Right" to Die?

1. What the Constitution Actually Says

Article 13 of the Constitution of Japan is often cited as the bedrock of individual liberty. It states:

"All of the people shall be respected as individuals. Their right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness shall... be the supreme consideration in legislation and in other governmental affairs."

At first glance, some might interpret the "right to life" as a general "right to handle one’s life however they choose"—including ending it. However, legal scholars argue this is a fundamental misunderstanding.

The "right to life" is not a menu of choices where you pick "live" or "not to live." Instead, it is a protection of existence. It is a guarantee that the state will not interfere with your survival. In short: The Constitution protects your life; it doesn't grant you the authority to negate it.

2. Why Isn't Suicide "Illegal"?

If the right to die isn't enshrined in the law, why isn't suicide strictly prohibited?

Historically, religions like Judaism and Catholicism have viewed suicide as an unforgivable act, often accompanied by religious or social punishments. In a modern legal sense, however, the reason is more pragmatic: You cannot convict someone who is no longer there.

Nations are built on the premise of "people’s survival." While suicide isn't a "right," it isn't a crime in the traditional sense because the "offender" is beyond the reach of the law. Punishment becomes a moot point.

3. The Biological "Will" to Live

Beyond the law, our own bodies seem to have their own opinion on the matter. The human body is a marvel of survival engineering.

Whether you believe in a "Creator" or the sheer brilliance of evolution, our biological functions are almost entirely dedicated to staying alive. Consider our senses:

• Pain: A high-priority alarm telling us to move away from danger.
• Fear: A psychological barrier designed to keep us out of harm's way.
• Oppression: A signal that our environment is hostile to our well-being.

If we truly had the "freedom" to die, we likely wouldn't possess such a visceral fear of death. For those in a healthy state of mind, the instinct to survive is hardwired. This suggests that, biologically speaking, we aren't designed for the freedom to exit; we are designed for the freedom to persist.

 Conclusion: Freedom is for the Living

Ultimately, freedom is a tool for the living. It is a fundamental human right that allows us to navigate the world, but it comes with a social contract.

Individual rights do not exist in a vacuum. Your freedom cannot be exercised in a way that violates the fundamental rights of those around you. Because our lives are interconnected, the choice to "not live" ripples outward, affecting the collective welfare and the rights of others to live in a stable society.

Freedom isn't the power to choose death—it’s the power to choose how we live.