Let me tell you about a place in Japan that’s like something out of a mystery novel. It’s a hidden corner in the bustling port city of Osaka, where folks can disappear without a trace – an Asian “Bermuda Triangle,” if you will. This peculiar neighborhood, known as the Kamagasaki slum, offers people an escape from their past and a chance to live in isolation, far from the prying eyes of their families and the long arm of the law.
Now, a documentary released in March 2023 pulls back the curtain on this eerie place, revealing it to be a haven for people from all walks of life who’ve decided to drop everything, sever ties with their old lives, and start fresh. These “evaporated people” forsake everything they’ve ever known to find solace in this hidden part of the city.
You might be wondering, why on earth would someone want to vanish like that? Well, in 2021, a whopping 80,000 people were reported missing in Japan. While some might’ve been abducted or kidnapped, many others chose to drop off the grid to dodge debt, escape uncomfortable obligations, or just start over without the burdens of their past lives.
Take Masashi Tanaka, a 49-year-old man who left his life behind to escape his abusive mother. After serving time in prison for drug charges, he assumed a new identity and moved to Kamagasaki, where he now lives in peace, far from the judgment of his family.
Kamagasaki, also known as Airin Chiku, is a place where people can find cheap lodging and low-income jobs as day laborers. With just fifteen bucks a night, folks can rent a hotel room, and during the day, they can land work by waiting along the side of the road, ready to be picked up for various odd jobs.
It turns out this slum is Japan’s largest “yoseba,” a place where employers can find day laborers. And it ain’t just Osaka that has a place like this – Tokyo’s got its own version called Sanya.
Now, sociologist Hiroki Nakamori told the BBC that privacy is a big deal in Japan, which is why folks can withdraw money from ATMs without being identified. He said that “police will not intervene unless there’s another reason, like a crime or an accident. All the family can do is pay a lot for a private detective. Or just wait. That’s all.”
Well, this whole thing drives home the point that personal freedom is priceless, and people will go to great lengths to find it. We believe in individual liberty and the right to choose our own paths in life. The tale of these “evaporated people” in Japan is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the yearning for a fresh start.
Source: AWM
