Why Do People Tell Lies?

Japan's Prime Minister Abe said that his patience has come to the limitation on the abduction issue of North Korea. Right, he is tired of their lies.

The most frequent lies that I have encountered is about ages. Somebody told me he is 48 several months after he stated he was 51. Well, did he have a time machine that makes him younger as he age? Another person had said he had got divorced 1.5 years ago. The same person now says he has been single again since 1997.

My friend who used to lecture me about her perfect marriage suddenly gave me a call and said she has been preparing for a divorce. According to her, his husband has been violent. I was stunned as he looked so nice and even a bit sheepish.

From my standpoint and background -- journalism, whose most important mission I believe is to seek the truth -- all this is astounding. I don't even know what makes a difference between the two statements -- 51 and 48, for example.

For me, it is not even the matter of age; it is a lie that honestly backs me off.