Jōhatsu

High school (ages 12+)
Philosophy & Big Questions

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/j-hatsu

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the linguistic origin?Jōhatsu (蒸発) is a Japanese term meaning 'evaporation'
2. What is the core phenomenon?Individuals intentionally sever all ties and disappear from their established lives
3. What does the word Jōhatsu mean?Jōhatsu means "evaporation" in Japanese, and it describes when someone disappears from everyone’s life without telling anyone.
4. Why do some people choose to disappear?They may feel trapped by debt, work stress, or bad relationships, and think that leaving everything behind could help them start fresh.

Yonige-ya: Japanese term for 'night movers,' agencies that help people disappear and relocate discreetly.
Socio-economic Pressures: The combined influence of societal expectations and economic conditions on individuals.
Existential Strain: The feeling of being overwhelmed or burdened by the fundamental challenges of life.