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Summary

In Japan, an estimated 85,000 people disappear every year in a phenomenon known as *Johatsu*, meaning 'to evaporate'. This practice involves individuals voluntarily severing ties with their past, leaving family, work, and friends behind to start fresh with a new identity. Rooted in Japan's cultural emphasis on honor and avoiding shame, *Johatsu* has been driven by personal, economic, and social pressures since the 1960s. Despite its seeming escape, this choice often leads to emotional struggles, as many individuals experience regret after cutting off all connections. The rise of businesses offering *Johatsu* services reflects deeper societal challenges in Japan.

Takeaways

• 😀 Japan experiences a unique phenomenon called *johatsu* where around 85,000 people disappear every year, leaving no trace behind.
• 😀 Despite Japan’s low crime rate, the number of missing persons each year is high, with more than 80,000 reports annually from 2013 to 2022.
• 😀 The majority of people who disappear are men, often driven by societal pressures related to work and financial struggles.
• 😀 *Johatsu* is a Japanese term meaning 'to evaporate,' referring to people who intentionally vanish from their lives to escape personal or financial problems.
• 😀 The origins of *johatsu* date back to the 1960s, initially related to the stigma of divorce, which is considered taboo in Japan.
• 😀 The 1990s saw a shift, with economic downturns and job losses prompting more people to use *johatsu* as a way to escape debt or societal failure.
• 😀 The concept of *johatsu* is tied to Japan's intense culture of shame, where individuals who fail socially or professionally often choose to disappear rather than face humiliation.
• 😀 In addition to personal failure, *johatsu* is increasingly linked to Japan’s demanding work culture, where people often face long hours and excessive stress.
• 😀 A booming 'disappearance business' has emerged in Japan, known as *Yoni Gea*, helping people erase their identities and start fresh with new documents and lives.
• 😀 The privacy laws in Japan make it relatively easy for people to disappear, as family members cannot freely track down missing persons or request personal information from banks or hotels.
• 😀 Despite the initial relief, people who undergo *johatsu* often face emotional consequences, including regret, loneliness, and severed ties with their past lives and families.

Q & A

What is the phenomenon of 'Johatsu' in Japan?

Johatsu refers to the practice of individuals intentionally disappearing from their lives, leaving behind their jobs, families, and friends to start anew with a new identity. This practice has existed in Japan since the 1960s.

What is the reason behind the high number of disappearances in Japan each year?

Each year, around 85,000 people go missing in Japan, with the majority of these cases being voluntary disappearances known as Johatsu. The reasons for this vary, including personal issues like failed marriages, financial problems, or social pressures.

Why is 'Johatsu' often chosen over other options in Japan?

Johatsu is often chosen by individuals who feel a sense of failure due to Japan's intense social pressures, such as the inability to provide for a family or manage personal issues. The culture of 'saving face' and avoiding the stigma of failure makes disappearance a more palatable option than confronting societal shame.

How does the Japanese work culture contribute to the phenomenon of Johatsu?

Japan's work culture is known for its extreme work hours, high expectations, and a deep sense of commitment to one's job. This creates immense pressure, leading some individuals to feel trapped and resort to disappearing rather than facing failure or burnout.

What are the social and emotional consequences for those who undergo Johatsu?

While Johatsu may provide an escape from immediate pressures, it often leads to long-term emotional consequences, including regret, loneliness, and a sense of loss. Those who disappear may face ongoing guilt for abandoning family and friends, and they may struggle with reintegrating into society.

How does the Japanese legal system facilitate the practice of Johatsu?

The Japanese legal system supports privacy to a degree that makes it easy for individuals to disappear. There are strict privacy laws, including the inability for families to access certain personal records, such as bank transactions or CCTV footage, which makes tracking down missing persons difficult.

What role do businesses play in the Johatsu phenomenon?

Businesses in Japan, especially those operating in the private sector, sometimes exploit the culture of overwork and pressure. Some even offer services to help individuals disappear, such as providing new identities and locations for people to start fresh.

What is the service called that helps people with Johatsu and how does it work?

The service is known as 'Yoni Geya' (夜逃げ屋), which translates to 'Night Escape Shop.' It assists individuals who want to disappear by providing new identities, documents, and relocating them to new areas. These services range from a few thousand to hundreds of thousands of yen, depending on the complexity of the disappearance.

How has the phenomenon of Johatsu evolved over time in Japan?

Initially, Johatsu was mostly linked to personal issues such as failed marriages in the 1960s. By the 1990s, with Japan's economic decline, more people disappeared due to financial hardships, unemployment, or debt. Today, it includes a broader range of people, from those struggling with mental health to those overwhelmed by social and financial pressures.

What is the significance of the area in Osaka, Kamagasaki, for people practicing Johatsu?

Kamagasaki, a district in Osaka, has become a common area for people practicing Johatsu. The area offers cheap housing and job opportunities for temporary workers, making it a place where many individuals who have disappeared from their old lives settle, often as day laborers or in precarious living conditions.