• DOI:10.1086/215417
• Corpus ID: 143833023

Divorce in Japan

@article{IwasakiDivorceIJ,
  title={Divorce in Japan},
  author={Yasu Iwasaki},
  journal={American Journal of Sociology},
  volume={36},
  pages={435 - 446}
}

• Y. Iwasaki
• Published 1 November 1930
• Economics
• American Journal of Sociology

For a time Japan led the world in the percentage of divorce, but in 1915 the United States overtook and exceeded the rate of Japan. The annual average number of divorces, calculated for five-year periods, since 1884 shows an unbroken downward trend. The rate has decreased in spite of factors which are regarded as causes in the increasing divorce rate in the United States. Among the eleven geographical districts, the prefecture of Okinawa leads in the number of divorces, while Hokkaido has the lowest rate. The divorce rate is higher in the prefectures where early marriage takes place, and where there is marriage by Mukoyoshi (an adopted son by marriage). The divorce rate is higher in cities than in rural districts, and higher in cities with population of less than 50,000 than in cities having more than 50,000. The decreasing divorce rate seems to be related to the changing ideas and ideals of the Japanese, the so-called "family system" has been passing away, Japanese women have become more independent, due to the influence of education, and the wishes of the young people are being considered before marriage.