Social Issues

Emishi – The Forgotten People of the Japanese Islands Before Yamato and the Ainu

“Of all the northern barbarians, the Emishi are the strongest. Men and women live freely together. In winter, they dwell in dugouts; in summer – in huts. They wear arrows

Psychological Landscapes of Trauma in Contemporary Ukiyo-e – The Hyperaesthetics of Pain in the Paintings of Natsuko Tanihara

Is suffering a decoration, or a desperation? Natsuko Tanihara is perhaps the closest to darkness of all living Japanese female artists. But her darkness is not nihilism – it is

Oseibo – the Japanese Ritual of Gratitude and Remembrance. Why Does a Student Remember Their Master for a Lifetime?

Gratitude is not just a feeling – it is a practice Gratitude in Japanese culture is not a fleeting emotion but a ritual embedded in the structure of relationships and

Iemoto – The Japanese Master-Disciple System That Has Endured Since the Shogunate Era

Mastery is not achieved in a single lifetime—it takes generations. In Japan, some words are like scrolls—they unfurl slowly, not revealing their full meaning at once. One such word is

Turn off the world. Step into the water. Furo

And all it takes is courage. Our everyday life resembles an overexcited fair—filled with garish messages, chaotic shouting, and compulsive activity. The stimuli we pack into every hour and minute

Goddess Uzume dances naked and, with her sacred antics, saves us from sorrowful seriousness – Japanese mythology, how timely today

「もっと踊ってよ、アメノウズメさん腕ふり回し、汗かき散らし、首しならせて、踊って、踊って、もっと、もっと」 "Dance for us again, Ame no Uzume Swing your arms, shake off the sweat Tilt your head toward the heavens And dance, dance, again, again" —

Contemporary Japan

Japan is a place where centuries-old philosophy of harmony with nature permeates modern life, creating truly unique spaces. The face of Japan is shaped not only by its landscapes and places, but also by its people and their stories. From life on remote islands far from the city’s hustle, through trends in fashion and otaku culture, to the immense social challenges facing the country today — all these elements define the singular character of contemporary Japan.

In this section, we will take a deep dive into some of Japan’s most pressing social issues — from bleak demographic forecasts and phenomena such as hikikomori and rental sisters, to jouhatsu (people who vanish), rural depopulation, and much more.

We’ll explore many facets of modern Japan, from cultural phenomena to everyday life, from the challenges its society faces to its triumphs — all to better understand what Japan truly is today.

An artistic soul and a warrior’s heart in a world of extreme social challenges

現代日本

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"Strong Japanese Women"

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未開ソビエライ

An enthusiast of Asian culture with a deep appreciation for the diverse philosophies of the world. By education, a psychologist and philologist specializing in Korean studies. At heart, a programmer (primarily for Android) and a passionate technology enthusiast, as well as a practitioner of Zen and mono no aware. In moments of tranquility, adheres to a disciplined lifestyle, firmly believing that perseverance, continuous personal growth, and dedication to one's passions are the wisest paths in life. Author of the book "Strong Women of Japan" (>>see more)

Personal motto:

"The most powerful force in the universe is compound interest." - Albert Einstein (probably)

Mike Soray

(aka Michał Sobieraj)

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Ciechanów, Polska

dr.imyon@gmail.com

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