Japan worker, 19, dies after falling from tower, suicide note claims co-worker told him to 'just die'

A young worker in Japan, aged 19, tragically lost his life after falling from a 40-meter high transmission tower. His family revealed that he had left behind a suicide note, which police in the local prefecture said he wrote on September 9th. That day, Kazuki Matsuoka had been working on the tower to assess damage to cables following an early-morning lightning strike, according to Japan Today. Three colleagues from his company, Shikoku Electric Power Transmission & Distribution Co, were also present at the site.

Matsuoka was in the process of descending the tower when the fatal accident occurred. Despite wearing safety equipment while on the job, the gear was found detached from his body later. The alleged cause of his suicide was detailed in a note found among Matsuoka's belongings and shared with his family the day after the incident.

In the note, Matsuoka expressed that he had faced verbal abuse and bullying from his co-workers. He claimed that one of them told him to "just die," and that during a work-related dinner, he was forced to eat something he was allergic to, causing his mouth to itch. Matsuoka also apologized to his parents in the note, apologizing for letting them down, dying too young, and being weak-hearted.

Matsuoka's parents have urged the company to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death, refusing to have it swept under the rug. Matsuoka had joined the company in April and, after a four-month training period, was assigned to work on the field. The branch of the company where he worked stated that executives received a copy of the alleged suicide note from the family.

The company said they are considering an investigation, potentially involving an external probe by experts, and will respond sincerely to the matter.