I was looking for Japanese government records on international marriages in Japan. The Geography major in me is continually fascinated by this sort of thing.
Min. of Health & Welfare nationwide figures for 2000Total marriages: 798,138, of which:
Japanese husband-Foreign wife: 28,326
Foreign husband-Japanese wife: 7,937
total mixed marriages: 36,263 or 4.5% percentOrigin of non-Japanese spouses:
Foreign-born wife:
China 34.9%
Philippines 26.5
Korea 21.9%
Thai 7.5%
Brazil 1.3%
USA 0.7%
Other 7.1%Foreign-born husband:
Korea 31.6%
USA 18.7%
China11.1%
Brazil 3.5%
UK 3.1%
Other 32%
So the big numbers once you dip into the data, this excel spreadsheet lists partners by nationality, show that there are big changes afoot.
In 1980, only 1% of all Japanese marriages were international. In 2002, 4.7%.
The biggest increase, surprisingly, is with Japanese men marrying non-Japanese women: from 4,386 back in 1980 to 27,927 in 2002. The majority of these marriages are with women from China (10,750 in 2002), the Philippines (7,630), and Korea (5,353), and Thailand (1,536). Only 163 of marriages in 2002 of Japanese men were with Americans.
For Japanese women, there are much fewer international marriages, 7,922 in 2002. Of these 2379 to Koreans, 1488 to Americans (19%), 814 to Chinese, 104 to Filipinos, and 45 to Thai men.
Someone who went through the data before me noted that this data may be skewed by the significant Japanese-born Korean population.
there was an interesting thread on the NBR mailing list about this, especially on the surprising magnitude of Japanese-husband Foreign-wife over the opposite. Supposedly the explanation has to do with Japanese wives not registering in part due to the sexist system. Afterall, registering children born out of wedlock was only recently changed to be indistinguishable from regular births.
I am very surprise with the data, especially the significant figure of Korean-Japanese marriage, and the Japanese born Korean population.
I have heard that they bring lots of women from the asia and do mass marriages in countrysides, so that they will help you with the fieldwork.
I just read an article on the BBC today talking about the results of China's "one-child" policy being an increasing number of Chinese bachelors. Just an interesting tidbit considering there are so many Chinese brides coming here.
Can anyone tell me the answer to this question:
What is the success rate of American males married to Japanese females in terms of marriages that do not end in divorce vs. Japanese males married to Japanese females? I realize the stats would suggest that there is a very small percentage of international marriages in Japan, however my father in law told my wife that our marriage will not last since it is an international marrige. I want some stats to suggest he is wrong. I have heard that international marriages are stronger since we have to endure suce hardships that other couples may not have to endure. Any stats will do. Thanks! Omiya@Japan.com
I am NOT surprised by the data, especially the significant figure of Korean-Japanese marriages.
I have a quesstion. Is or was it a practice to change the name of a non Japanese male who marries a Japanese woman? What kind od status would this male have in the Japanese society?
Any idea how I can read stats regarding overall numbers of 'International marriages' currently registered involving Japanese males and American wifes, those living both inside and outside of Japan? At least those results from 1980 on?
Thanks.