The Housing Consequences of Divorce for Women in Japan: A Comparative Perspective

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24760497
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Town planning/Architectural planning
• Research Institution: Oita University
• Principal Investigator: KAWATA NAHOKO 大分大学, 教育福祉科学部, 准教授 (90608267)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 離婚 / 女性 / 住宅経歴 / 住宅政策 / 国際比較 / ジェンダー / イギリス / フランス

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The housing system in post-war Japan has privileged conventional male-dominated, two-parent households and homeowners. However, Japan is currently experiencing rapid change in its traditional patterns of family formation; increasing divorce rate is one of the most important factors in this transformation. This study explores the housing consequences of divorce for women in Japan, in comparison with the EU countries. Empirical data for this study were drawn from cross-sectional and longitudinal surveys. Different tendencies were observed in the housing pathways of divorced women in each country, against the backdrop of the different housing systems. In Japan, the moving-out rate of divorced women was significantly higher, and women who moved were placed in harsh housing and economic conditions.

Free Research Field

住居学，住宅政策，建築計画