Yasu Hosomatsu Sep 20, 2011:

無理心中 心中は合意の場合を普通指しますが、一人が他の人を合意なしに殺し、（たとえば、親が子供を殺し、）自分が自害した場合は無理心中という表現が使われます。文脈が判りませんので、どちらになるかは決めがたいですが。

Joyce A (asker) Sep 20, 2011:

You're right, it doesn't mean double suicide. The thing is, the American writer seems to want to have the word "seppuku" in it because it is a familiar term for non-Japanese. However, that is not set in stone...

Akiko Sasanuma Howard (X) Sep 20, 2011:

"Seppuku" does not mean "double suicide". It is an old term, used by samurai to kill himself when he is dishonoured. This term is never used in the present time.

Joyce A (asker) Sep 20, 2011:

They're non-Japanese. It is an American book. But, I'd like the term to be accurate (and using seppuku). So many requests to you Akiko. :-)

Akiko Sasanuma Howard (X) Sep 20, 2011:

Are those colleagues in the book supposed to be Japanese or non-Japanese?