This was tough to read. I’ve always admired Japan for its culture and progress, but seeing how common these exploitative practices are is heartbreaking. What’s worse is that it feels like nobody talks about it—maybe because Japan has so much influence, or people just don’t want to criticize it.

A lot of this seems tied to how focused Japan is on things like education, careers, and success. It’s great on the outside, but it leaves people feeling lonely and disconnected. And then industries take advantage of that loneliness instead of fixing the real problem.

The media doesn’t help either. They’re always showing the “perfect” side of Japan—technology, low crime, great education—while ignoring these darker issues. It’s frustrating, but I hope more people start talking about it and pushing for change.