Acclaimed Japanese actress Toyota Maho recently announced the passing of her husband from cancer. The couple was married for several years and his diagnosis, revealed only last year, shocked their fans across the country. Despite her grief, Maho has chosen to turn her personal tragedy into a positive movement by spreading awareness about cancer and advocating for early detection and treatment.

In Japan, privacy, particularly in regard to health and family matters, is highly valued. It's considered a social obligation to maintain harmony by not sharing personal struggles publicly. Therefore, when a public figure like Toyota Maho shares such personal information, it is seen as a big step towards breaking the stigma surrounding illness and death. Her decision to transform her pain into a crusade for cancer awareness is also greatly admired.

In contrast to Japan, western societies like the US and EU are more open about discussing personal issues publicly. Celebrities often use their platforms to raise awareness about health issues they or their loved ones are facing. Maho's activity in this regard is more similar to the way Western celebrities handle similar issues.