At a time when divorce and separation is increasingly on the rise among some groups in Canada, unique concepts like “separation marriage” and “weekend marriage” are taking over in one part of the world.
In Japan, many are opting to live separately despite being legally married in order to have a better lifestyle. Some are even forming a weekend arrangement where they only couple up during the weekends and go on to live separate lives in separate residences during the week in an effort to have “easier” and more flexible relationships.
According to Statistics Canada, divorces in this country are increasing among people in older age groups. Moreover, almost one-third of the divorces in Canada are now the result of a joint application by both spouses, a 2022 report from the agency states. “The proportion of couples who file jointly has grown steadily from 4% in 1987 to 31% in 2020.” Psychologist Rebecca Cobb, who teaches at the Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, said why and how relationships end is often “complicated and likely not a simple answer.” But having space in a marriage can probably renew excitement, depending on what people do with their time apart, according to Cobb. “If they explore new things, develop new friendships and reinvigorate existing relationships with others then… when partners spend time together, they have novel exciting experiences and new aspects of themselves to share with each other, which might renew their passion in the relationship,” Cobb told Global News.
Savvy Tokyo, an online guide for international women and families in Tokyo,says on its website that separation marriage — also known as “sotsukon” in Japan — is “a cheaper, easier way to create space in a marriage.” “Couples