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Journalism of Courage
In a world that often tells us to “keep it together,” Japan offers a refreshing and deeply human practice — Ruikatsu. At its core, it’s simple: people come together to cry. Not out of weakness, but out of a desire to release, reset, and reconnect with their emotions.
“Ruikatsu” (涙活) literally means “tear activity” — a compound of rui (tears) and katsu (activity for self-improvement). It’s a movement that began in Japan around 2013 and has quietly grown into a powerful form of emotional release therapy.
If you’ve ever had a good, messy cry and felt oddly lighter afterwards, you’re not imagining it. According to Hidefumi Yoshida, a former high school teacher and one of the pioneers of Ruikatsu, crying is not a sign of weakness — it’s a sign of strength and emotional intelligence.
He began leading crying workshops to help people deal with stress and emotional blockages. Participants watch moving films, read emotional letters, or hear touching stories — anything that invites tears.
And the result? People walk away feeling relieved. Lighter. Seen.
In Japan’s high-pressure, emotionally restrained society, Ruikatsu offers a safe, shame-free space for emotional expression. But the appeal is universal — many of us are taught to bottle things up, especially sadness.
From a physiological standpoint, crying is actually a built-in stress release mechanism. Emotional tears (unlike reflex tears from chopping onions) contain stress hormones like cortisol. Letting them out literally helps reduce emotional load.
Research from Japan’s Toho University supports this: regular crying can lower anxiety, reduce heart rate, and even improve sleep. That’s something no productivity hack can match.
Ruikatsu events often take place in serene environments — think dimly lit rooms, soft music, and tissues on hand. Some are even guided by tear therapists who create a safe, welcoming space.
What makes Ruikatsu different from just crying at home? Community. There’s something uniquely powerful about crying in a room full of strangers — people who don’t judge, don’t interrupt, and often don’t even speak. You cry alone, but not in isolation.
In a world hyper-focused on “fixing” emotions, Ruikatsu gently reminds us that not all pain needs to be solved — some of it just needs to be felt.
You don’t need to be fluent in Japanese to embrace this. Try watching a film that moves you, reading an old letter, or simply sitting with yourself in silence. Let the tears come, and let them go.
Sometimes, the most radical act of healing is just giving yourself permission to cry.
