There is still time to do the 'honourable' thing, according to some Japanese I have spoken to they [the hostages] should have done
it, as and when they learned they were being used as pawns, instead of bringing 'such shame' to the country
Interestingly there was a poll on suicide in March
http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content=vote&id=194
Also on the same page
Hounding of ex-hostages draws fire