The story revolves around Inoue Sakuraku, a high school student in Japan who became an outsider amongst her peers leading her to truancy. The article explores the reasons behind Sakuraku's spiral into seclusion, including social pressure, educational demands, and friendship issues that are usually typical in Japanese high schools. With her story being in the public eye, it puts a spotlight on the larger issue of student welfare and the Japanese educational system's ability to address such matters.

In Japan, education is considered highly important and there is often a tremendous amount of pressure on students to excel academically. Bullying and seclusion are serious issues in Japanese schools. Sakuraku's story sheds light on these social problems and opens up discussion about student inclusivity, emotional and mental health support in schools.

While similar issues of truancy due to isolation and bullying occur in the U.S. and EU, Japan has a particularly high stress education culture which may amplify these issues. In the USA or EU, there is generally more emphasis on child wellbeing and inclusivity, and less academic pressure. There are also more established systems for coping with and addressing bullying and truancy.