did they mention in the article if said group suicides were actually being performed or merely gatherings of like minded youths to discuss such activities, yet fall short of actually doing so?

I would think we'd have heard about those here if it were rampant.

No, actual suicides.

They meet online at suicide discussion boards then get together and (usually) asphyxiate themselves in sealed cars or rooms.

I want to clarify that this is happening in Japan. And such conclaves formed the basis of a Law & Order episode a couple years ago where a group of early 20-somethings met online, got together and parked on the train tracks (the twist element being that one of the people in the car was tricked into it and thought they were all going to the same party).

You have to be wary when the press uses the word "trend" but it is something that is happening with some regularity in Japan in recent years. Suicide is not a crime in Japan, nor is it seen as a sign of mental defect.

but is it a mental defect if done by asphyxiation rather than sepukku?

No.

The article talked a lot about how it is hard for authorities to get anybody to care (or even to get the authorities to care much). They managed to get a law passed saying that if a specific place and time for a suicide is mentioned on a certain class of message boards, then police can ask for information that will allow them to try and intercede.

One of the big multi-year best sellers in Japan is a suicide guide. The author is a pop culture icon frequently seen on the talk shows and stuff. It was an interesting read but unfortunately I only have it in print.

Mod note: Despite the topic purportedly being the oft-inflamatory Fox News, the subject seems to really be about Japanese suicide, murder and cultural causes of such.

I'm moving it to the Daily Grind. Leaving it out of the Lounge in an abundance of caution. But I've read nothing whatever to justify it being in the Parking LoT.