 In the Asahi Shimbun , Sadao Yamane found the film admirably constructed and extolled the actors ' performances . Yamane was especially impressed by the delicate hand movements Motoki displayed when he performed the encoffinment ceremony . Tomomi Katsuta in the Mainichi Shimbun found Departures a meaningful story that made the viewer think about the different lives people live , and the significance of someone dying . Writing in the same newspaper , Takashi Suzuki thought the film memorable but predictable , and Yūji Takahashi opined that the film 's ability to find nobility in a prejudiced subject was an excellent accomplishment . Shōko Watanabe gave Departures four out of five stars in The Nikkei newspaper , praising the actors ' unforced performances . 
