Why Thousands of Japanese Choose to Disappear: The “Johatsu”

The "Johatsu", or the "evaporated people," are individuals in Japan who choose to disappear without a trace, leaving behind their families, jobs, and identities.

This video discusses this Japanese social phenomenon, exploring the cultural, social, and personal factors. We discuss the role of shame and guilt, and the insistence of “fitting in” in Japan's collectivist society, as well as my personal connection to this topic.

Note: The story at the beginning of the video is not a report of a real event. It is a fictional account adapted and taken from the video essay “Japan's Disappeared: The Johatsu Enigma” by Draiocht Sound Studio (check it out here:    • Japan's Disappeared: The Johatsu Enigma  ). The characters and events in the story are entirely fictional and should not be taken as a depiction of any specific individual or occurrence.

Subscribe to my Email Newsletter to get the scripts to my video essays and other good stuff: https://letter.thelouiszhao.com/subsc...

Join my community for exclusive content and early access to videos:   / thelouiszhao  


00:00 The Story of Johatsu
01:05 What is Johatsu
01:26 Night Movers
02:52 External Reasons
03:03 Shame
04:07 Wanting a Fresh Start
07:35 Caveat
08:18 Consequences on Johatsu
09:01 Consequences on Those Left Behind
09:51 Personal Message