In Japan, the phenomenon of people who intentionally disappear is called jōhatsu (“evaporation”), and these individuals are known as “jōhatsu.” The reasons include social pressure, debt, difficult relationships, or shame due to personal or professional failures. This phenomenon is supported by an industry of companies called yonige-ya (“night-moving agencies”), which help people vanish by organizing discreet relocations and creating new identities.
Reasons for the “jōhatsu” phenomenon.
Social pressure and shame: The stigma associated with failure at work or in relationships can lead people to disappear rather than face humiliation.
Debt and economic problems: Being in debt can be a major motivator to disappear and start a new life where debts cannot be traced.
Problematic relationships: Debt, or the desire to escape an abusive relationship or a failed marriage, also leads some people to vanish.
Search for anonymity: Some individuals simply wish to start over, far from their current lives, to live anonymously.
“Night-moving” companies (Yonige-ya).
Function: These companies offer services to help people disappear completely without leaving a trace.
Services offered:
Discreet and quick relocations, often done at night.
Creation of new identities, including documents, credit cards, and phone numbers.
Assistance with transportation and accommodation in distant locations.
Legality: Although they operate in an area of ambiguous legality, these companies are sought out by thousands of people every year.
What happens to the families
Silence and uncertainty: The families of those who disappear face painful silence, not knowing what happened, which can create uncertainty and theories for the rest of their lives.
Limited help from the police: Police authorities often offer little or no assistance in finding people who disappeared voluntarily.
A documentary about this was broadcast on RTP.
Every year, around 80,000 people intentionally disappear in Japan.
Source: NIT
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