Japan’s ‘ghosting’ resignation services thrive as workers avoid confrontational quits

In Japan, a niche industry has emerged that helps employees quit their jobs without facing their employers, a practice locally called bakkure. Firms like Albatross handle around 450 cases monthly, charging roughly €120 per client and completing the process in about 15 minutes. Clients often turn to these services to escape physical violence, sexual harassment, or the stigma of resigning in person, according to CEO Yuka Hamada.

Surveys show one-third of workers aged 20-49 have experienced workplace harassment, fueling demand. Experts link the phenomenon to Japan’s post-war corporate culture that values lifetime employment and collective harmony, making direct resignation feel like a betrayal. Academics from Rikkyo University and Hitotsubashi University note that avoiding conflict is ingrained in social norms, even encouraging a polite “ghosting” that still respects obligations such as clearing a desk.