Using Japan's Wind Phone to Cope With Regret
Regret is a universal and stubborn emotion that often centers on things people did not do, moral failures, or damaged relationships. The article describes the Wind Phone in Japan, a disconnected booth where visitors speak to people who have died. It presents this practice as a way to help people work through painful regrets.
The article comes from psychologist Susan M. Pollak, who notes regret is common and persistent. Research suggests it can teach people by highlighting mistakes, yet many dwell on missed chances, moral lapses, or neglected bonds. Her examples include an older patient grieving her brother’s suicide and another mourning limited time with a friend lost to Alzheimer’s.
Pollak describes Otsuchi’s Wind Phone: an unconnected booth built after the 2011 earthquake, which killed ten percent of the town. Thousands have reportedly used it to address deceased loved ones. In therapy, Pollak invited a patient to imagine such a phone, helping her voice unspoken feelings for Mary and, months later, feel connected.
This story may resonate with grieving people, therapists, and families carrying unresolved regret. By presenting a simple symbolic ritual, it could encourage conversations about loss and unspoken feelings, perhaps reducing isolation. It may also prompt clinicians to consider culturally informed, low-cost practices alongside standard therapy. Its impact likely depends on individual openness; some may find comfort, while others may not.