The Phenomenon of Johatsu in Japan
In Japan, people who are despondent often either commit suicide or choose what is known as ‘johatsu.’ Johatsu, apparently meaning to evaporate into thin air, is a term used by the Japanese to describe starting a new life after abandoning one’s past and identity.
Japan has a unique society where people do not demean each other. When someone completely fails or becomes a source of shame for themselves and others, instead of hurling insults and curses, they are looked upon with pity. The person cannot bear such looks, and if they are already disappointed with themselves, suicide seems like an easier option. However, if they are not disappointed with themselves, they opt for johatsu.
They leave behind their name, identity, relationships, and place to start a new life somewhere else with a new identity. This is called johatsu. It’s about giving oneself a second chance, where one wants to prove that their failure or disappointment to others was not due to a lack of ability but rather due to circumstances.
Our society, however, is not like this. Here, you don’t need to hide your face in shame. If someone makes a mistake, people rush to humiliate them. The rest of life is spent giving explanations to different people or blaming each other. People here are so keen on humiliating each other that sometimes a mistake isn’t even necessary; it’s considered a duty to assume the other is wrong and to humiliate them.
Therefore, we do not have johatsu in our society. Here, ethics and standards, along with modesty and decency, have left, leaving behind a crowd.
