Jōhatsu in Japan – When People Vanish

Every year, thousands of people in Japan disappear without a trace. They are known as jōhatsu — “the evaporated”. They abandon their former lives to start again elsewhere. Some go into hiding with the help of professional night-flight agencies. Some are escaping relationships; others can no longer withstand the pressure of society.

One day, 22-year-old Kazuki fails to return to his student residence. Mr Sugimoto leaves his wife and children, fearing debt collectors. The desperate relatives can expect little help from the police — but they refuse to stop searching.