The mystery of Johatsu, the ghosts of Japan: The people who disappear without any trace

Almost every human being undergoes the weight of pressure to excel in his or her life professionally or personally. But what if there was a way to escape this by just vanishing into thin air? Looks like a scenario from a sci-fi movie, but what if this is true?

In Japan, there is a mysterious phenomenon known as johatsu , meaning “evaporated people”. It refers to individuals who choose to disappear from their lives, leaving behind families, jobs, and identities.

This voluntary vanishing act often comes as a result of the overwhelming societal pressures, personal failures, and a deep sense of shame. It's estimated that around 100,000 people make this drastic choice every year, slipping into the shadows of society without a trace, leaving perplexed families and a trail of unanswered questions.

Weight of shame!
Japanese society places a lot of value on honour, duty, and trust, and failing to meet these expectations, be it through financial ruin, job loss, or personal mistakes, can lead to a profound sense of shame. As French journalist Léna Mauger says, “More than anything else, they’re driven underground by a profound sense of shame.” Rather than face the disgrace of failure, many opt to vanish, believing that disappearing is the only way to escape societal judgment.


But how do these people exactly disappear?

Some people take assistance from specialised services known as “night movers” or yonige-ya. These businesses help in erasing one's identity, helping clients relocate, change names, and sever all ties with their past lives. This underground industry has become a crucial part of the Johatsu phenomenon, and gives a means for individuals to escape their circumstances without a trace.

While disappearing may offer immediate relief from societal pressures, many johatsu individuals live in poverty, in unsanitary housing, and engage in poorly paid, dangerous work. They face a lot of isolation and remain constantly on edge to avoid recognition. Apart from that, the psychological toll is massive, as they go through guilt, loneliness, and the haunting memories of their past lives.



What is the impact on their families?
The families of Johatsu individuals experience ambiguous loss, without closure or answers; loved ones are left in a state of uncertainty, oscillating between hope and despair. Johatsu shows the extreme lengths to which individuals may go to escape societal pressures and personal failures.

It shows how pain, shame, or pressure can make some normal people take extraordinary steps.

But even if one leaves everything behind, the emotions and memories follow. Starting over might seem like freedom, but it often becomes a lonely place. It must be realised that running away may not help us find peace, it might just leave us more lost than before.