Social Security and Divorce in Japan

The purpose of this paper is to explain variations in the divorce rates across prefectures in Japan over the period 1982 to 2002. This paper examines the various factors which may affect divorce rates including: the effects of the generosity of social welfare; the income of females relative to males; the female employment rate; the vacancy rate; a shift to no-fault divorce, and social stigma. Two key findings of the paper are that the generosity of a particular prefecture in approving Livelihood Protection Benefits and social stigma have statistically negative impacts on the divorce rate.