Romney Institute Of Public Management

Many experts believe that Japan is heading towards a disconnected society. There are an increasing number of unmarried citizens and divorces. Traditionally, Japanese families have functioned under a male-centered society; each family member’s roles were strictly followed. With the addition of many arranged marriages, traditional Japanese families led a conservative and stable life.

In post-WWII Japan achieved a miraculous recovery from the socio-economic devastation from the war, becoming the world’s 2nd largest economy. Behind the miracle, Japan has paid a price; death from overworking (“karoushi”), and most recently “haken (contract)” workers who are underpaid (some become homeless) have made a controversy.

Karoushi to Haken - a New Working Style

While the country enjoyed its economic success, karoushi, particularly among male workers, became a social problem. Lacking a proper solution to the controversy, and followed by an abrupt ending of an over-inflated bubble period, weary younger generations began seeking more flexibility in life and work choosing to work as haken workers while companies prioritized cutting costs by shortchanging traditional management styles, such as life-time employment and seniority-based wages.

Haken workers are significantly shortchanged in terms of stability; not only do companies treat them as temporary workers to reduce costs, but also they are not sufficiently protected legally in cases of unfair practices by employers. By changing jobs frequently (or being terminated), they are unable to establish financial security. The prolonged lack of financial stability has led to an increase of unmarried men who can no longer be the head of the household; the sole provider of financial security to his family.

Single or Divorced - Preparation for Lonely Death

In recent years, more Japanese people are either opting to, or don’t have a choice but to, stay single or marry at an older age due to socio-cultural change.

A report shows, in 2005, 30% of males between ages 30 to 39 were never married (vs. 4.7% in 1970). For women between ages 20 to 29, it was 59% (vs. 18.1% in 1970). It is said that by 2030, one out of every four Japanese women and three Japanese men will divorce.

In order to accommodate the shortfalls of being single, new social organizations have been created in various communities. An organization made up with single middle-aged and older women not only has regular gatherings and a support system, it even has its own beautifully decorated small cemetery for its members.

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