Societal Issues in ‘Don’t Call it Mystery’ Drama

This Drama was created for dark humour perhaps, and it doesn’t have a love story. However, it is quite interesting!

It’s quite evident the multi-issue involved in this drama. A Police officer that kills a rich kid for hit-and-run his family, instead of bring his suspect and proof to the investigation of the murder. The husband who wants to live a good life and have a wife to do the house chores without complaining while being pregnant. The police woman underestimates detective Skills grieving for the loss of her cat, while feeling useless when her peers ask for something, in reality, she is treated as a salarywoman, or temporary worker, when she is none of that.

At the first look, the main Character , Totono Kunou, seems to be a person with autism but the way he reacts with the other people seems to be a low degree autism. He is a person that pays attention to all details even without others noticing.
He ends up solving the issues above mentioned and many more, while providing us insight of the society surrounding them.

Even when facing a situation of bus hijacked when trying to find the guilty of a serial murder, the conversation goes around table telling the stories one by one. One of them is a Bully victim 1st person accounts that Kunou answers “why do the victims of bullying have to run?”, a reality that only exists in Japan according to him and this is the same with the Domestic violence victims. However, he is wrong on this one, the domestic violence resulted one of the main reasons for suicide, specially during the pandemic that resulted in the increase of 30%. People don’t physically run in Japan, at least not 30%. The ones that run do it by reporting to the authorities by obtaining restraining orders and going back to their hometown, but is that really considering running?

“Don’t Call it Mystery” took over Fuji TV’s this year, 2022 .This drama was based on the manga series “Mystery to Iu Nakare” by Yumi Tamura , which was first published in 2016, at manga magazine Flowers.

The Plot story:
Totono Kuno is just a regular university student. He’s got curly hair that he’s really self-conscious about and he doesn’t have any close friends or a girlfriend. However, he’s got an amazing memory and superb observation skills. So when a murder case unfolds near his home and the victim is another university student who attended the same school, Totono Kuno naturally becomes the prime suspect.

During his interrogation by detectives at the police station, Totono Kuno starts putting together hidden clues about the murder as well as the personal worries of the detectives. But then a weapon is found with Totono Kuno’s fingerprints all over it.

Solving the problems one after another, even gaining trust for the ones that only seek the truth !!

⭐ Emoji Ranking – Don’t Call It Mystery (2022)

• 💕 Romance: 💕 (1/5) – Romance is not the focus; it’s a character-driven mystery.
• 👻 Creepy factor: 👻👻👻 (3/5) – Dark themes, murder cases, and psychological tension create unsettling moments.
• 🔥 Action: 🔥🔥 (2/5) – While mostly dialogue-based, some episodes feature suspense and confrontations.
• 😭 Drama (Emotional impact): 😭😭😭 (3/5) – Touches on family trauma, social injustice, and human struggles.
• 🌸 Popularity: 🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸 (5/5) – A major hit in Japan, boosted by Masaki Suda’s performance and strong ratings.

Domestic violence remains a significant concern in Japan, despite the country’s reputation as a safe society. This issue is shaped by various cultural, social, and legal factors, especially traditional gender roles that foster male dominance and female subservience. The cultural concept of gaman (endurance) can further compel victims to tolerate abuse instead of seeking assistance. Recognizing these factors is crucial for effectively addressing domestic violence.

Japan’s legal framework for dealing with domestic violence has progressed over time. The Domestic Violence Prevention Law, introduced in 2001 and revised in subsequent years, offers legal protections for victims. It enables the issuance of restraining orders and includes punitive measures. Nevertheless, critics contend that the law remains inadequately enforced and does not sufficiently address all forms of domestic abuse, including emotional and financial abuse.

Forms of Abuse Include:

• Physical Violence:
  • Battering, hitting, kicking, pushing.
• Denial of Basic Needs:
  • Lack of sleep, food, clothing, shelter, or medication.
• Sexual Abuse:
  • Coercion into unwanted, unsafe, or degrading sexual activities.
• Emotional Abuse:
  • Yelling, name-calling, blaming, shaming, isolation, intimidation, and controlling behavior.
• Financial Abuse:
  • Manipulating finances, withholding or seizing money, preventing a partner from working.
• Cyber Abuse:
  • Trolling, hacking, spamming, sharing or distributing images, and harassment.

Statistical Overview

Understanding the extent of domestic violence in Japan is vital. Government statistics indicate a rise in reported cases. In 2020, the National Police Agency recorded over 83,000 incidents, marking a significant increase compared to prior years. However, this figure likely underestimates the true scope of the issue, as many cases go unreported due to stigma and fear of retaliation. In 2022, it was revealed that 47,971 consultations were made to the national DV Plus hotline, yet only 5,158 were reported to authorities.

Barriers to Reporting

Several obstacles prevent victims from reporting domestic violence in Japan:

• Stigma and Shame:
  • Victims often experience shame and fear social ostracism, hindering their ability to seek help.
• Financial Dependence:
  • Many victims rely financially on their abusers, making it difficult to escape the relationship.
• Lack of Awareness:
  • There is a general lack of understanding regarding what constitutes domestic violence and the available support resources.
• Limited Support Services:
  • Although support services exist, they are often restricted in scope and accessibility.

Some references on the issue:

Every Third Woman – The Prevalence of Domestic Violence in Japan By Sharnie Fenn – Metropolis Japan

https://metropolisjapan.com/domestic-violence-in-japan

Record 1 in 5 in Japan report partner abuse, government survey shows – The Japan Times

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/03/27/japan/society/physical-abuse-government-survey

Fighting for new laws to protect women in Japan | Ikumi Yoshimatsu | TEDxKyoto – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lChZf9rjxfs

Why This Japanese Girl Became Homeless – The Japan Reporter – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=625qGowSEbA