What is Johatsu and why the Japanese disappear by the thousands (8 photos)

Tens of thousands go missing every year in the Land of the Rising Sun of people. And here's what's interesting: some of the missing police do not even think search. Because this is not a crime, but a certain cultural feature.





For local residents, the disappearance of a person is not something out of the ordinary.

At the end of the 20th century, Japan made a huge breakthrough in the world technologies. But the traditions and mentality have largely remained the same, how they were formed over thousands of years of development of this civilization.



It is very important for the Japanese to maintain their dignity. Especially in front of relatives. If a resident of the country is experiencing any setbacks, or violates its foundations, then he experiences acute shame. It could be divorce, job loss, debt. Yes, of course, these situations are not easy. experience for any person, regardless of nationality. But Japanese shame will cross all boundaries, they are quite serious may think about suicide.

At the same time, it is unlikely that a Japanese will find support in the family, but rather all his shame will be even stronger, because his shame will be known and parents and the rest of the family.





Many Japanese have obvious communication difficulties and, as a consequence, the frequent absence of close friends. Attitude towards psychologists and psychotherapists are more stigmatized there: to come to such a specialist is to sign his own weakness, what else more shame than divorce, dismissal or debt. And yes, it's expensive...



As a result, an entire industry has emerged that called the Night Moving Service. For a certain amount of money help to disappear in order to start life from scratch. Someone is driving far away, and someone can settle down even a few blocks from the house. But The service helps to make sure that no one who escaped is found. And if not money due to debt, that is, a lot of free Johatsu benefits.



Most often, the Japanese prefer to hide in rural areas. communities that may be several kilometers from the city. But there old ways of life are often preserved, and communities often control near-criminal clans. Through these clans the Johatsu can find informal work for cash and just disappear among the rural residents.



And if the problem is not finances, then a Japanese is in a new place lives according to his documents, finds a new job and starts everything from scratch sheet after dismissal or divorce. But without the oppressive feeling guilt for having dishonored the family.

But is no one looking for them?



According to the laws of Japan, an adult will not be searched, even if the application is written by the spouse or parents, if there are no criminal signs, such as persecution, murder, or kidnapping.

Confidentiality in the country is strictly observed: in the absence of obvious reasons, the police will not track payments from the card, a signal phone or data from video cameras. And relatives this information is also not find out. Well, if a person works for cash, then the banks of his the debtor cannot be found.

The culture of the country gives a chance to a person to start everything from scratch.



Yes, loved ones can hire a private investigator. But it's available only to very wealthy Japanese. Well, again, shame that the husband, a relative, son or daughter could not cope with the problems and fled. Therefore, Johatsu usually disappear from the lives of their loved ones forever.