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Silence Speaks: The Cultural Barriers to Talking About Mental Health in Japan

By Elizabeth Webb for The J-Pop Exchange

In Japan, mental health remains a largely unspoken topic, surrounded by social stigmas that deter open discussion. While physical health issues can be freely discussed and treated, mental health struggles are often met with silence or discomfort. This cultural aversion to talking about mental well-being has deep historical, societal, and cultural roots, but in recent years, there are signs of slow but steady change, especially among younger generations.

But before we can look at going forward, we need to understand how we arrived at this point in the first place. In Japanese society, there has traditionally been a strong focus on social harmony (wa), which prioritizes avoiding conflict, embarrassment, or anything that could disturb group cohesion. This cultural value often extends to personal struggles as well. When someone faces mental health challenges, there’s a societal expectation to “hold it together” to maintain harmony in relationships and workplaces.

However, this creates a cycle. The pressure to meet these expectations can cause people to hide their emotional struggles, which in turn fuels the stigma around mental health. The result is that individuals feel unable to talk openly about their issues, thus perpetuating the cycle.

In the workplace, this pressure is especially evident. Japanese work culture is known for its intense dedication and long hours. “Karoshi,” or death from overwork, has become a tragic symbol of the nation's work-life imbalance. Employees often feel compelled to prioritize their job and maintain a sense of strength, even in the face of mental health challenges.

However, the trend of “quiet quitting” (which refers to employees’ behavior of only performing the bare minimum that’s required for their job and not going above and beyond their current responsibilities) has started to catch up in Japan, according to reports. Findings from Japanese job-matching firm Mynavi revealed that about 45% of full-time workers are practicing quiet quitting (Mynavi survey; coverage in The Japan Times and Fortune). “We can see that ‘quiet quitting’ is becoming the new norm,” said Akari Asahina, a researcher at the Mynavi Career Research Lab (report summary; see also a column by Asahina on trends here).

At the same time, talk therapy is also becoming somewhat more prevalent in Japan. Until very recently, therapy was seen as something extremely foreign, with Western practices like psychotherapy viewed with high skepticism. But many people still opt for medication instead of counseling, and even then, it’s often only after a prolonged period of suffering.

Yet, as with many cultural traditions, generational shifts are starting to challenge these long-standing norms. Younger generations in Japan, particularly millennials and Gen Z, are increasingly vocal about mental health. With the advent and popularity of social media, online communities have emerged where individuals can share their struggles anonymously and find support. Mental health issues are no longer as deeply taboo for the younger demographic, and many have begun to speak out about their mental health experiences.

In urban centers like Tokyo, awareness campaigns and educational programs on mental health are slowly gaining ground, although much of this change remains within niche circles.

A few prominent public figures — including J-Pop idol Serina Hasegawa of Little Glee Monster, tennis player Naomi Osaka, and actress Aisa Takeuchi — have slowly begun to break the silence, speaking candidly (albeit briefly in most cases) about their own mental health challenges. These high-profile admissions are starting to normalize conversations about mental well-being and reduce the stigma that has long been associated with seeking help.

“There can be moments for any of us where we are dealing with issues behind the scenes… Each of us as humans is going through something on some level.” — Naomi Osaka in TIME

While Japan continues to grapple with the cultural barriers to discussing mental health, there is a growing recognition of the need for change. The younger generation, fueled by social media platforms and shifting attitudes, is helping to break the silence, encouraging more open dialogue. However, it will take time before this transformation reaches all corners of Japanese society. Until then, silence will continue to speak volumes about the challenges many face in addressing their mental health struggles in a culture that values harmony above all.

More by Elizabeth Webb:

Designing for Sanity: How Urban Planning Shapes Mental Health in Tokyo

Spring in Japan: Chasing Cherry Blossoms and the Art of Floral Forecasting