Johatsu and Yonigeya: In Japan, Disappearing is a Business

Did you know that “disappearing” is an actual business in Japan?
They are called yonigeya, or “night movers.” These are professional companies paid to help people vanish in complete silence. No fights, no goodbyes. Just an empty room by morning.
The reasons behind this vanishing act are heavy: abusive homes, crushing debt, profound shame, or the unbearable pressure to live up to societal expectations. Some clients even ask for new identities or a one-way ticket to somewhere they will never be found.
This act of disappearing is termed johatsu, which translates to “evaporation.” Many who choose this path end up in places like Kamagasaki, where the culture dictates that nobody asks about one’s past.
It is estimated that more than 100,000 people choose this dramatic route every year. In Japan, vanishing isn’t always a mystery. Sometimes it’s a deliberate service provided to help a person escape the crushing burden of their past and start fresh.