Which Prefectures Have the Highest Divorce Rates? Exploring the Link Between Divorce and Infidelity
Japan stretches east to west and includes numerous remote islands, creating a unique cultural landscape. Even domestically, each region develops its own local character, and while not definitively proven, your birthplace or upbringing may contribute certain “traits.” In this article, we’ll look at regional differences in terms of “divorce rates.” Is the prefecture where you or your partner live known for a high divorce rate? We’ll also discuss the relationship between divorce rates and infidelity. Let’s dive in.
Top 5 Prefectures with the Highest Divorce Rates
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications compiled vital statistics in 2017, including divorce rates by prefecture. The top five are:
5th: Fukuoka (1.97%)
4th: Osaka (2.05%)
3rd: Hokkaido (2.08%)
2nd: Miyazaki (2.09%)
1st: Okinawa (2.51%)
Seeing these results, one might think, “Southern regions have higher divorce rates,” or “Big cities have more divorces.” But remember, these statistics don’t indicate where people were born. It would be too simple to say “Okinawans divorce easily.”
Following the top five are Wakayama, Kagoshima, Kochi, and Kumamoto. Let’s delve deeper into why these places rank as they do.
Why Are Divorce Rates High?
You might wonder why certain prefectures have higher divorce rates. We looked into common theories circulating online to see if they hold any truth.
Is the “Shotgun Wedding” Theory a Myth?
Let’s focus on Okinawa’s high divorce rate. Some believe it’s because “there are more shotgun weddings in Okinawa,” implying that marriages started due to pregnancy are more likely to end in divorce. Such marriages occur before both partners fully commit, or so the theory goes, and thus lead to early breakups.
It’s true that Okinawa has a high rate of so-called “shotgun weddings.” A 2009 Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare study showed a 38.2% rate in Okinawa, the highest in Japan. However, the next highest prefectures for shotgun weddings—Saga and Aomori—don’t appear among the top divorce rate rankings.
This suggests that shotgun weddings don’t strongly correlate with higher divorce rates.
Does Marrying Young Increase the Divorce Rate?
Another theory is that marrying at a younger age leads to a higher chance of divorce. While recent trends show more people marrying later, some still marry in their early twenties.
According to a 2011 survey by the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research, for women, Fukushima ranks first for the youngest average age at first marriage. Kumamoto, Saga, Okinawa, and Yamagata follow. For men, Fukushima is again first, followed by Kumamoto and then Miyazaki. Since Okinawa and Miyazaki are also in the top divorce-rate group, there might be a slight correlation.
However, Fukushima—first in youthful marriages—ranks 32nd in divorce rates, which is relatively low. This doesn’t explain places like Hokkaido or Osaka. The evidence is inconclusive.
Higher Divorce Rates in Urban Areas
Another opinion is that urban couples divorce more often. In cities, both spouses may work, meaning wives can maintain financial independence. If marital problems arise, economically independent spouses may find it easier to leave.
Tokyo’s divorce rate ranks 11th nationwide. Osaka and Fukuoka, as previously noted, are in the top five. Hokkaido, with cities like Sapporo and Hakodate, also has well-developed urban centers. This idea could have some merit.
The Relationship Between Divorce Rates and Infidelity
When people hear “divorce,” many think of infidelity. Affairs are indeed a common cause of marital breakups.
But are high-divorce-rate prefectures more prone to infidelity? Let’s consider this connection.
Do High Divorce Rates Mean More Infidelity?
A 2018 survey by Sagami Rubber Industries found that the top prefectures for infidelity were:
1st: Saitama
2nd: Kyoto
3rd: Wakayama
4th: Gifu
5th: Yamaguchi
Notice that these don’t align with the top divorce-rate prefectures. So a high divorce rate doesn’t automatically mean more cheating. Nor does this mean, for example, that Saitama residents are more likely to cheat. A similar 2013 survey produced entirely different top results, indicating no consistent pattern.
However, investigative agencies do note that big cities, with denser populations, tend to have more infidelity cases simply because there are more people—and thus more potential clients. Still, there’s no inherent link between a region’s character and infidelity.
Whether Someone Cheats Depends on the Individual
It’s easy to form negative impressions—like assuming high-divorce prefectures have more cheaters. But there are no regions without infidelity, and ultimately, cheating depends on the individual, not their environment.
Also, divorce stems from various reasons, not just affairs. Some couples stay together even after discovering an affair, choosing not to divorce to rebuild trust. Others might want a divorce but refrain due to children or financial constraints.
Rather than worrying or feeling reassured by regional statistics, focus on your current relationship with your partner.
Conclusion
We’ve explored which prefectures have high divorce rates and whether there’s a link between divorce and infidelity. While many theories exist, most can be countered by other facts. High divorce rates don’t equal high infidelity. Cheating depends on personal choice, and many people remain stuck, unsure how to proceed after discovering a partner’s affair.
If you’re troubled by suspicions of infidelity, consider consulting a detective or investigative agency. With concrete evidence, negotiations or even court proceedings can run more smoothly. Find the solution that suits you and aim for a swift resolution.
