Johatsu
Working in multiple countries offers the opportunity to discover the particularities of a given culture. This is true of Japanese culture, which is rich and complex, blending ancient traditions with modern elements. I remember one case that particularly struck me at the time. The aim was to find the heirs of a Japanese businessman who, given his date of birth, had passed away. Research was therefore launched to establish the owner’s fate, by producing the equivalent of the death certificate, called “Shibo Todoke” and searching for his “Isan bunkatsu kyogi-sho”, corresponding to our heir certificate. But we soon discovered that this man had only one son, who had taken over the family business. Business was bad and the family business disappeared, as did the son. Indeed, all our searches were in vain and we could find no trace of this individual. When I didn’t understand the situation, my correspondent explained that we were dealing with a “Johatsu”. The term “johatsu” literally means “evaporated”. This term refers to people who voluntarily disappear, often to escape debts, problematic personal relationships, work problems or embarrassing social situations. This phenomenon is unique in terms of its scale and the way Japanese society perceives and manages it.
A “planned” disappearance: Johatsu often plan their disappearance in detail to avoid being found, which may include liquidating assets, closing bank accounts, and creating new identities. There are even companies that offer services to help people disappear, called “yonige-ya” (late-night escape companies). They help organize secret moves and provide advice on how to remain incognito.
A new “life” after disappearance:
Many “Johatsu” start a new life in remote areas or big cities, where it’s easier to remain anonymous. They often find informal or undeclared jobs to avoid being traced. It’s a very difficult life choice, as it can lead to great loneliness and a feeling of isolation. Moreover, financial instability and job insecurity are common among those who choose this path. Strange as it may seem, this is a personal decision that is respected to a certain extent, due to Japan’s strong culture of privacy. The Japanese police generally do not initiate searches (except on suspicion of homicide), thus respecting individual rights to privacy. For families, it’s an immense pain and a constant stress to have to live without knowing what has happened to their loved one. The “Johatsu” phenomenon is a fascinating and troubling aspect of Japanese society, revealing underlying tensions linked to shame, social pressure and individuality. It shows how some people choose to escape an unbearable life, despite the enormous challenges and personal costs involved.
I can’t help but wonder if this man’s fate would have been different if he’d known about these unclaimed assets in time…
