An unprecedented rise in divorce rates in Japan is being blamed on "retired husband syndrome".
Many Japanese men spend decades being completely devoted to their careers. When it comes time to retire, husbands and wives discover they hardly know one another.
The real killer? Taking a long, celebratory vacation together, and suddenly spending more time together than they have in years.
Further exacerbating the problem is the long Japanese life expectancy; newly retired couples often realize they have another 20 or 30 years together when they don't even LIKE each other.
The number of divorces among couples married for at least 20 years doubled between 1985 and 2004. Divorces among those married at least 30 years quadrupled in the same period.
And it's only going to get worse: more Japanese men will retire in the next five years than at any other point in the country's history, as the post-WWII baby boom generation ages.
In Japan: Retire, Get Divorced
In Japan: Retire, Get Divorced
Trend Themes
1. Rise in Divorce Rates - Opportunity for counseling and therapy services to help couples navigate the challenges of retirement.
2. Retired Husband Syndrome - Potential for new social support networks and community programs to address the emotional and social isolation experienced by retired couples.
3. Longevity and Retirement - Demand for specialized retirement planning services to help couples adjust to the prospect of spending decades together after retirement.
Industry Implications
1. Counseling and Therapy Services - Innovative approaches to provide counseling and therapy services specifically tailored for retired couples.
2. Social Support and Community Programs - Development of programs and initiatives to connect retired couples and create supportive communities.
3. Retirement Planning Services - Opportunity to offer specialized retirement planning services that address longevity and relationship challenges.