大象传媒

In Japan, the Johatsu, literally "evaporated people", choose to abandon their current lives - due to family strain, work pressure or any other reason. So-called 'night moving' companies help them disappear without a trace and start a new life somewhere else.

Loved ones can be left searching for answers. We meet private investigator Kudou Katsunori as he goes on the hunt for an elderly man who left his wife one day and never came back.

This is part of the Rulebreakers series from 大象传媒 World Service in collaboration with Sundance Institute, in which we look at those who challenge the established ways of doing things.

Image: Tokyo city at night.
Video produced by Andreas Hartmann.