The Odd Mental Breakdowns of Japanese People in Paris

Japanese visitors to Paris are especially susceptible to Paris syndrome, a psychiatric condition which is the result of finding out that Paris is not the city of their expectations.

Almost always, Paris syndrome is experienced by Japanese tourists who have an over romanticised concept of how Paris will be. The shock these Japanese tourists experience can result in acute delusional states, hallucinations, anxiety, dizziness, and sweating.

Professor Hiroaki Ota, a Japanese psychiatrist working in France, is believed to be the first person to diagnose Paris Syndrome in 1986. According to the Japanese embassy in France, about 20 Japanese tourists a year are affected by Paris syndrome.

Paris syndrome stems from the frequent idealisation of the city of Paris by the Japanese, especially, by the media, which can result in a mental breakdown. Many Japanese tourists are expecting Paris to be a place of cobblestone streets, beautifully dressed people who look like models, superb patisseries and the style and sophistication of Chanel and Louis Vuitton. So, it comes as a shock when theses tourists encounter the real Paris, which includes frequent rudeness, dirt and rubbish and the many homeless and begging people.

The Japanese Embassy runs a 24-hour helpline for expatriates experiencing the syndrome.