The Relationship People: Mediating Love and Marriage in Twenty-First Century Japan

Japan has often been portrayed as a mysterious, sexless, troubled land, but it is experiencing demographic shifts due to rigid norms around gender, marriage, childbearing, and work. In The Relationship People, Alpert explores the factors that have contributed to later and less marriage and childbearing in Japan and elsewhere and the disjuncture between what Japanese singles report as preventing them from getting married and popularly proposed solutions. He examines konkatsu from the perspective of matchmakers, clients, and online daters to understand the linguistic processes of connection that underpin it and its successes or failures. Understanding this linguistic connective tissue enables us to answer questions about what constitutes "attractive" and "marriageable" in Japan, what kind of consciousness konkatsu is supposed to instill in singles, and what role Japans various partner matching industries might be able to play in alleviating the countrys demographic crisis.

Format: Hardback
Length: 178 pages
Publication date: 26 January 2022
Publisher: Lexington Books

Japan, often portrayed as mysterious, sexless, and troubled, has witnessed a decline in birth rates and marriage rates over the years. National surveys indicate that Japanese people are engaging in less sex overall. However, it is important to note that Japan is not unique in experiencing these demographic shifts. These changes are driven by rigid norms around gender, marriage, childbearing, and work, as well as relatively strict immigration policies.

In his book, "The Relationship People," author Alpert delves into the factors that have contributed to later and less marriage and childbearing in Japan and elsewhere. He explores the disjuncture between what Japanese singles report as preventing them from getting married and the popularly proposed solutions to this problem.

One significant barrier to marriage for Japanese singles is economic factors, such as low income. However, much of the popular discourse aimed at Japanese singles tends to overlook these economic concerns. Instead, it encourages them to exert more personal effort to meet people and ultimately get married. This approach is often referred to as "marriage activities" (konkatsu), which can involve various strategies, such as signing up with a professional matchmaker, using online dating sites, or attending singles parties.

By examining konkatsu from the perspectives of matchmakers, clients, and online daters, this book sheds light on the linguistic processes of connection that underpin konkatsu and its successes or failures. Institutions of matchmaking and technological structures, such as databases and online profiles, play a crucial role in shaping the ways singles connect. Through this research, we gain insights into what constitutes "attractive" and desirable qualities in a partner, and how these factors influence the dating and relationship landscape in Japan.

Understanding the linguistic connective tissue that underpins konkatsu is essential in comprehending the complexities of the Japanese dating and relationship scene. It provides valuable insights into the cultural norms, values, and expectations that shape individuals' approaches to love, marriage, and family. By examining these dynamics, we can better appreciate the challenges and opportunities that Japanese singles face in their search for meaningful connections and partnerships.

Weight: 404g
Dimension: 237 x 163 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781498594202