Did you know that
``March has the highest number of divorce filings in the year'' ?
Before March, February 29th is known as ``Amicable Divorce Day'', a play on the phrase ``blessed (29) to both of you.''
Some people may say, ``I don't want to think about divorce.''
On the other hand, there are some people who face divorce positively and try to make a new beginning to live happily.
March is “the month with the most divorces”
This is the number of divorce notifications filed each month over the past year.
While in other months the numbers ranged from 14,312 to 16,606, the number in March was significantly higher at 21,239.
Looking back at past data, we found that since 1980, the highest number of cases occurred in March every year, and this trend has continued for 28 years.
Why are there more divorce filings in March?
Experts who are familiar with issues surrounding marriage and divorce point out that many people choose divorce to coincide with their children's graduation, higher education, or change of job.
Kaoru Amano, Senior Population Dynamics Researcher, Nissay Research Institute
: ``March is just before the new school year, and people get divorced in time for their children to go on to higher education, such as changing their surnames or transferring schools in April. I think there are a certain number of people who get divorced at the same time as they gain financial strength and change jobs.It is thought that there are people who choose March as a break for the new fiscal year.''
A hammer in a wedding ring What is a “divorce ceremony”?
``Seno!''
A man and woman swinging hammers with smiles and slightly dull wedding rings.
The divorce papers are signed while relatives and friends are in attendance.
The words "HAPPY DIVORCE" are written on the cake that will be used as the "last collaboration"...
This is a scene from a ``divorce ceremony'' experience session held in Tokyo on the 27th, ahead of ``Amicable Divorce Day'' on February 29th.
At a wedding, they are called "bride and groom", but at a divorce ceremony, they are called "old man and wife".
``A rift began to appear between the two around fall of last year.The ``old woman'' wanted to have a child soon, and the ``old man'' still wanted to pursue his career.Differences began to arise between the two. ''
The 20 or so people in attendance, including those who were considering divorce and those who were struggling with their marital life, listened with pensive expressions as the host solemnly read out the circumstances that led to the divorce.
Positive impact on relationships after divorce, some couples hold back
According to Hiroki Terai, a planner who proposes a divorce ceremony, a divorce ceremony is a ceremony that marks the end of a marriage and celebrates a new start, and more than 700 couples have held ceremonies so far, resulting in an amicable divorce. This means that it is one of the options for couples aiming for.
The cost ranges from 55,000 yen to 200,000 yen, and more than 80% of the applications are from men who want to ``get rid of their lingering feelings.'' However, the reason for the divorce, which can be difficult to hear, can be sent to relatives and friends as an ``official statement'' from the couple. It seems that by being open about it, you can maintain a good relationship even after divorce, and by vowing in front of those attending that you will continue to work together to raise your child, child support can be paid more smoothly.
Some couples changed their minds after facing each other anew through the divorce ceremony or receiving encouragement from friends, and after talking it over on the way home from the ceremony, some couples called off the divorce.
A woman in her 40s who was planning to get divorced watched the divorce ceremony while thinking about her three children.
``Divorce has a dark and depressing image, and people tend to think that if you get divorced, you have to live in a small way, but this ceremony was a great way to dispel that image. I thought of my own children as I watched the tour, and when I received the energy of love and support from the people who attended, and when I saw the parents smiling, I felt that the children would be happy and important. I think it will be a memorable memory.”
A man who experienced divorce
: ``Even after the divorce, I was able to talk and see my children every week, and I think I was relatively happy, but I think it would be difficult to announce it to everyone. I think if we can get a divorce as amicably as possible, we can happily take the next step."
Divorce Ceremony Planner Hiroki Terai
: ``Most cases end in a quagmire, so there are very few people who can get an amicable divorce, and I think it's a rare case that happens once every four years on February 29th. I think there are many people who get divorced too quickly, but both marriages and divorces are meant to be happy, so I hope they can look at it positively and move on to a new stage."
Number of divorces increases for the first time since 5 years ago
On the 27th of this month, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare made the latest announcement regarding the number of divorces.
According to preliminary figures, the number of divorces in 2023 was 187,798 couples.
It was found that there was an increase of 4,695 groups (2.6%) compared to 2022, the first increase since 2019, five years ago.
The number of divorces has continued to decline since 1899, when the government began keeping statistics, after peaking at around 290,000 couples in 2002.
Looking at the data for the past five years, in 2020, when the new coronavirus infection spread, there were 193,253 couples, which was a significant decrease from the previous year to 15,243 couples, and since then it has continued to decrease, and last year was the lowest in 5 years. has started to increase.
Behind this trend are changes in the way couples behave and women's economic independence.
Kaoru Amano, Senior Population Dynamics Researcher, Nissay Research Institute
: ``While the number of marriages has decreased significantly, the number of divorces has also decreased, but the ratio of divorces to the number of marriages has been increasing, and in the last 10 years or so, the number of divorces has decreased. The figure has reached 35%.In addition to the significant change in values regarding how couples should behave after the bursting of the bubble economy, the development of childcare leave laws and the advancement of women's empowerment have enabled women to become financially independent. This may be the reason behind
the divorce.I don't think divorce should be seen only in a negative way.I think divorce is an opportunity for new personal growth, so I think it's important for your future. I hope that you will face the reasons that led to your divorce, accept it positively, and make a fresh start."
March is a time to stop and think
We began this interview with the question, "Does such a thing as an amicable divorce really exist?"
Even among those who say their divorce was amicable, there were arguments and tensions at first.
I was struck by his words, ``Since we're married, I want to discuss things until we both reach an agreement, and only then divorce.''
Marriages and reasons for divorce vary from person to person.
In March, when many divorce filings are filed, I thought it would be a good time to stop and think about the future of my life.
(Network Reporting Department Kotomi Fujime, Aoi Taniguchi)