Japan, a country once known for its "marriage for all", has now entered a "marriage ice age", and there are many deep-seated reasons and social changes behind this phenomenon. From changes in the economic environment to gender roles, from the evolution of personal values to the perception of happiness, the concept of marriage in Japan is undergoing a sea change.
First, let's take a look at the impact of changes in Japan's economic environment on the concept of marriage. In the early 90s of the 20th century, Japan experienced the bursting of the bubble economy, which led to a continuous increase in unemployment and entered the so-called "employment ice age". Against this backdrop, many people are facing a situation of economic instability, where the longer they work, does not mean that they are being paid better, and promotions and salary increases are no longer based on age and years of service, but on performance. As a result, many young people choose not to get married because they feel unable to foresee their future, and economic stability becomes an obstacle to getting married.
Second, the employment environment for Japanese women has changed dramatically. With the implementation of the Law on Equal Employment Opportunities for Men and Women, there are more and more women in the workplace in Japan, and women's awareness of employment is also becoming stronger. From the past "male dominant, female dominant" to today's women's economic independence, this transformation has made women no longer dependent on marriage for economic income. On the contrary, they can achieve financial independence through their own efforts, which makes them much less needy for marriage.
In addition, for Japanese people, the relationship between happiness and economic stress is not linear. Although Japan is an economically developed country, its national happiness is relatively low. In fact, many people believe that as economic pressures increase, happiness declines instead. Some people who choose not to marry believe that single life is more free and that the happiness index may be higher.
In the current social context, Japan may move further into a single society, and the problem of declining birthrate may become more serious. However, the solution to this problem is not simply to urge more people to marry or have children. Instead, perhaps there should be a shift in thinking about how to create a more conducive social environment for marriage and family, and how to improve people's well-being and quality of life.
Overall, the phenomenon of the "marriage ice age" in Japan is a complex social phenomenon that involves many factors such as economics, gender, and personal values. Only by deeply analyzing these factors and finding the fundamental way to solve the problem can we alleviate or even solve the current marriage crisis facing Japan.