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“Till Death Do Us Part” Takes on a New Meaning in Modern Japan
In today’s aging society, the phrase “till death do us part” no longer seems to be a purely celebratory sentiment. Two intriguing terms have gained attention in Japan recently: “Motsuichi” and “posthumous divorce.” These terms reflect changing attitudes toward marriage, grief, and familial responsibilities in contemporary Japanese society. Traditionally, those who lost their spouses were referred to as “bereaved families.” However, since around 2017, when the concept of a “100-year life era” gained traction, awareness of the term “Motsuichi” has significantly increased. According to Midori Kotani, a chief researcher at the Dai-ichi Life Research Institute, who authored the book Motsuichi (2018, Shinchosha), the term was popularized by members of the “Motsuichi-kai” (a group for those who have lost their spouses), founded in 2012. The name “Motsuichi” was inspired by “Satsuichi” (a term referring to divorced individuals with a positive outlook), aiming to encourage widows and widowers to continue living positively for themselves and their late partners.
On the other hand, “posthumous divorce” highlights the dilemmas modern Japanese individuals face when balancing family responsibilities and personal freedom, revealing how societal values influence changes in family structures.
