The Effect on Family of COVID-19 in Japan

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced major changes in people’s behavior and relationships and has caused various changes in private areas such as marriage hunting. As a result, the coronavirus pandemic has deepened trends in Japanese society that existed before the pandemic, and has brought to light and accelerated family-related issues, especially issues related to family disparities. There have been three trends in Japanese families since the 1990s: 1) a decrease in dating, marriage, and childbirth, 2) a polarization of intimate relationships between husband and wife, and 3) a “selection” of family (intimate) relationships. The following trends are due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 1) the tendency to refrain from dating, getting married, and having children is accelerating due to behavioral restrictions, health concerns, and deepening economic concerns, 2) the polarization of intimate relationships between husband and wife has become apparent as the time spent together as a couple increases and the satisfaction of intimacy needs outside of the marriage is restricted, and 3) The selective nature of family relationships (with relatives) has led to an increase in behavior outside the family. The restrictions provided an opportunity to sort out family relationships, including with parents.