Part 7/9:
An irony emerges here: the freedom one seeks can quickly morph into a new set of shackles, where the effort to remain hidden limits life’s opportunities. Meanwhile, loved ones left behind suffer profoundly, grappling with grief and uncertainty over the disappearance. They may endure years—sometimes lifetimes—of speculation about whether their dear ones are alive.
A Personal Reflection on Disappearance
The author reflects personally on the subject of johatsu, revealing their own struggles with conformity and fear of inconveniencing others. Raised in a collectivist East Asian environment, they too fantasized about the "freedom" offered through the concept of disappearing.