Failed suicide pact student sentenced

A Japanese college student was today sentenced to two years in jail, suspended for three years, for his part in a group suicide attempt that left one dead.

The man was convicted by the Toyama District Court of abetting suicide, a court spokesman said. He was unable to provide further details.

Media reports described the defendant as a 21-year-old college student who helped organise a suicide pact with two other men he met over the Internet.

The three reportedly carried charcoal stoves into a car parked on a riverbank in Toyoma city in March. One died of carbon monoxide poisoning.

The other remaining survivor, an unemployed 22-year-old, was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison, suspended for three years, earlier this month, the Asahi newspaper reported.

Japan has seen a number of suicide pacts in recent years, many thought to have been plotted by people who met over the internet.

Last year, 55 people in 19 groups committed suicide after meeting on the Web, up from 34 dead in 12 groups in 2003, according to National Police Agency figures.