relationships in Japan

[truly Japan]

These days divorces are common everywhere. Even in the most tradition respecting country like India, divorces are happening. I want to know what is the scene in Japan. Are people understanding the meaning or value of relationships or are they separating due to ego clashes?

 

[A ke bono kane kotto]

Aren't there government statistics for that ? I think divorces increase.

 

[AichiAlex]

I don't know about divorce rates but I do know that the death rate in Japan is higher than the birth rate even with the average female's life expectancy somewhere around 83 years old. Maybe people get / stay married, but its certain that not enough of them are procreating.

 

[Mars Man]

I have looked into this matter before, and had learned that the divorce rate did increase over a period of time from the early years of this century, but recently? I'm not sure. I also don't recall if it has gotten as high as around 50% yet, but it may not be too far below that. I do have some information about that on hand, I know, but I'd have to go look for it.

Also, I moved this here since this location would be the best for the subject matter, I'd think !!

 

[TokyoJuliet]

I think that divorces are actually increasing!
One think that leads to this opinion is that women in Japan aren't that depend on their man anymore. Another fact is that it gets quite common to have a "batsu ichi" or even a "batsu ni" so it's not that embarrassing as it used to be.

 

[ollopa]

The Japanese health ministry announced that divorce rates have gone up in the last decade. I didn't verify this number but I read it increased by 25%. I also saw a lot of talk about older and retired couples getting divorced.

I think it's just a result of Japan modernizing and being influenced by other cultures. There are many, many factors that contribute to the acceptability of divorce in society and the desire for married couples to divorce. People get married very young in Japan and I don't think it is a good idea. In any culture it's a bad idea to get married before you know who you or your partner truly is.

It's not fair to claim that Japanese don't "know the value of a relationship" or to say that divorce is a result of an "ego clash."

In talking about divorce rates and quality of relationships, I don't know that Japan is different from any other nation. It varies from couple to couple, person to person. Certainly many families have issues but the same can be said about our home countries as well don't you think?

 

[orochi]

Biggest reason for the increasing number of divorces is that wives are now able to collect up to 50% of their husbands pensions after divorcing them. They were held fast by financial chains but have now been set free.

 

[Annubis]

I've heard that women in Japan are starting to do it for themselves and don't want to be house wives. Men want women who will be their house wife or something like that. So relationships don't seem to work out when women want to work so much.

 

[pipokun]

http://www.mhlw.go.jp/toukei/saikin/hw/jinkou/geppo/nengai06/images/zu11.gif

It was 5 years ago when the highest/most divorce rate/numbers was recorded, even though old women now have more equal right for the pension.

 

[maushan3]

I've heard that women in Japan are starting to do it for themselves and don't want to be house wives. Men want women who will be their house wife or something like that. So relationships don't seem to work out when women want to work so much.

This is in the Western world.

Despite me thinking the same way, I have read many times once and once again that Japanese women, no matter their level of education still like the life of a housewife. This trend will end soon as globalization keeps taking over Japan.

Mauricio

 

[Annubis]

single in Japan

I have quite a few female Japanese friends in their 20s who would prefer working and achieving their dreams, than settling down. One of them is actually maried to a Mexican man and is considering never being tied down by children. I don't know if it's a new generation of women who are being influenced by the west, or if it's a paradigm shift.

 

[Kyoto Returnee]

Increasing...

On the increase..

One thing to remember is that if you are a Gaijin partnered with a JP and you have kids, divorce will mean giving up those kids and pretty much anything else you own if you are not a Japanese citizen.

If you are in a bad relationship with a Japanese national and contemplating divorce, trying to take your kids out of the country is illegal and termed under Japanese law as kidnapping.

If your partner reports you before you leave the country, expect to be handcuffed at the airport and imprisoned for many years..

I may point out that in Australia, you cannot kidnap your own child, and possibly other countries.

 

[pipokun]

If you are in a bad relationship with a Japanese national and contemplating divorce, trying to take your kids out of the country is illegal and termed under Japanese law as kidnapping.

Same. Many Japanese women are on the international wanted list...

International Parental Child Abduction
Japan
404 - Page Not Found

Be happy.

 

[Annubis]

There are similar stories in Canada.

I guess if I marry a Japanese man, I will have to spend my life trying to become a Japanese citizen I do hope it is possible! For the sake of my family.

 

[suz135]

While the divorce rate is increasing, many couples stay together, not because they love each other, but for practical reasons (ie for the children's sake, social status). So there are lots of extramarital affairs. But its all very hush hush.