Youth Perceptions of the Menhera Phenomenon Among Teenage Girls in Japan

Abstract

In recent years, discussions on mental health in Japan have increasingly been linked to youthdigital culture and gendered forms of emotional expression. One phenomenon that has emerged in thiscontext is menhera, a term commonly used to describe teenage girls who openly express psychologicalvulnerability through social media and popular culture. This phenomenon has generated diverse socialperceptions among Japanese society. This study aims to analyze Japanese youths’ perceptions of themenhera phenomenon among teenage girls and to understand the social meanings attached to this labelin contemporary Japanese society. The research employs a descriptive qualitative approach. Data werecollected through an online survey involving 13 Japanese respondents aged between 20 and 35 years.Respondents were asked to share their views on the characteristics, social image, and societal responsestoward teenage girls labeled as menhera. The findings indicate that many respondents perceive menheraas representing emotional instability, mental health vulnerability, and attention-seeking behavior, whichoften leads to negative stereotypes and social stigma. However, several respondents also expressed moreempathetic perspectives, viewing the phenomenon as a form of emotional expression influenced bysocial pressures, gender expectations, and the dynamics of digital culture. These findings suggest thatyouth perceptions play an important role in shaping the soc ial meaning of the menhera phenomenonand highlight the intersection between mental health stigma, gender norms, and digital culture incontemporary Japanese society.