The number of divorces in Japan, especially among couples who have been married for 20 years or more, has been increasing. According to a survey carried out by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, in 1999 there were a total of 250,538 divorced couples.
Among couples together for 20 years or more, the number of divorces increased by 3.4 percent, from 39,614 in 1998 to 40,966 in 1999.
Two-thirds of all divorces in this demographic are initiated by the wife. This is no doubt due to the fact that women are now stronger psychologically and financially than women of earlier generations, who could not get a divorce even if they wanted to because of financial obstacles. They simply had to endure living with husbands they no longer loved.