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The Mainichi
a day ago
- Business
- The Mainichi
South Korean-style photo-only weddings gain popularity in Japan
TOKYO -- "Instagrammable" South Korean-style photo-only weddings are gaining popularity in Japan amid the trend of young couples moving away from lavish ceremonies and receptions. As the term "June Bride" indicates, many couples seek to tie the knot in June. However, the long-term trend in Japan is showing a decline in the number of marriages, with an increase in small-scale ceremonies such as "family weddings" and "weddings for relatives." Additionally, the trend of no weddings, where couples skip ceremonies and receptions altogether, is growing. What strategies are being employed to uplift the bridal industry? The Mainichi Shimbun explored the latest trends. According to Yano Research Institute Ltd., the bridal-related market in 2024 was projected to reach roughly 1.84 trillion yen (about $12.7 billion), 99.9% of the previous year's figure. This is about 76% of the level seen in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic. The market includes six key sectors including weddings and receptions, honeymoons and jewelry, the largest of which are weddings and receptions. In 2024, the number of weddings decreased, and the number of guests did not fully recover, resulting in only a slight increase in sales, Yano Research Institute analyzes. Small-scale, personalized styles, such as family weddings and photo-only weddings, where couples focus on taking wedding photos, are becoming more common. The no-wedding option is also gaining a significant share. According to the 2024 preliminary Vital Statistics released by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare on June 4, there were 485,063 marriages, an increase of 10,322 from 2023. Although this marked a rise for the first time in two years, it is fewer than half of the peak in 1972, and the declining trend has continued in recent years. Amid these changes, where is the industry focusing its efforts? Saki Gondo, an editor at the Bridal Industry Newspaper, noted that more "pre-brides" are searching Instagram for dresses, venue decorations and presentation. "Whether a venue or plan is Instagrammable has become a key consideration," she said. Venue operators are apparently responding by offering more options that cater to this demand, focusing on visually appealing elements for social media. Examples include unified decorations with dried flowers, candlelight services at "night weddings," and photo booths for capturing moments with guests. These efforts aim to create "photo-worthy moments." "Visuals and presentations with photographic appeal for social media contribute to the satisfaction of the actual ceremony and leave lasting memories for participants. In this sense, how photogenic they are on social media is becoming an essential perspective when understanding today's bridal trend," said Gondo. She added that recently, South Korean-style photo-only weddings, inspired by popular Korean TV dramas, have gained attention. Traditional wedding photos often featured simple, straightforward lighting techniques focusing on documentation. In contrast, dramatic Korean-style photos use sets akin to movie studios, capturing beautiful moments like scenes from a film. Studio Luminous, operated by leading marriage consultancy Tameny Inc., offers such photo settings. The company runs six studios nationwide, winning approval among customers by offering filmlike photos. In Tokyo, its Odaiba studio boasts about 30 sets -- one of the largest in the Kanto region. Plans vary by location, with prices starting at 49,500 yen ($340), including tax, without an album at Tokyo's Shibuya studio, and 89,650 yen ($620), including tax, with an album at the Tenjin studio in Fukuoka. The basic package includes outfits, hairstyling, photo retouching, an album and photo data. Unlike traditional front-lit photos, their style emphasizes special lighting and composition for a unique finish. A studio representative noted, "During the coronavirus pandemic, when weddings couldn't be held, these photo plans became widely known and are now established as an alternative to actual weddings or pre-wedding photo shoots." Meanwhile, wedding venue operators are offering virtual reality experiences of chapels and reception halls, allowing couples to explore ceremonies through 360-degree videos using special goggles. "Casual wedding plans," featuring buffet-style meals and set fees, are also emerging. Furthermore, technologies aiming to cut costs and improve operational efficiency are being introduced to the industry, including a system to create advertising materials tailored to the season and mood using AI-generated model images. Weddings, past and present, serve as a "milestone in life" and a chance to "express gratitude to family and friends." Addressing the trend of younger generations moving away from ceremonies is a major challenge for the industry. Gondo emphasized, "The pandemic has reduced opportunities to attend weddings, leaving an increasing number of people unaware of their value. If someone hasn't attended a wedding, it's hard to imagine hosting one. That's why it's crucial for each reception to convey the value of weddings."
The Mainichi
2 days ago
- Health
- The Mainichi
Why are more women in Japan interested in freezing their egg cells?
The Mainichi Shimbun answers some common questions readers may have about women freezing their egg cells in preparation for pregnancy and subsidies for the process. Question: Is the number of women interested in freezing their eggs increasing in Japan? Answer: Yes, more healthy women are interested in freezing their eggs in preparation for future pregnancies. Municipalities and companies are increasingly offering financial assistance for this process. In Tokyo, subsidies of up to 300,000 yen (about $2,070) for the process began being offered in September 2023. As of June 12 this year, a total of 13,314 Tokyoites attended information sessions on egg freezing, with 4,081 applying, indicating significant interest. This differs from egg freezing for medical reasons, such as before cancer treatment. Q: Why do women freeze their eggs? A: As women age, the number of eggs decreases and their quality declines, apparently making pregnancy more difficult. Even if they want to have children in the future, some women have various circumstances, such as wanting to prioritize their work or not having a partner. Egg freezing can be considered one option. Q: Is freezing eggs always beneficial? A: The Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology does not generally recommend it, stating the freezing does not guarantee future pregnancy or childbirth. Risks include side effects from ovulation-inducing drugs and the physical burden of giving birth at an older age. Q: Are frozen eggs actually being used? A: A survey conducted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government prior to the launch of its subsidy program found that out of 4,567 women who froze their eggs, only 384 used them, with over 70% remaining unused. Among those who used frozen eggs, about 30% -- or 114 women -- became pregnant. It is essential to thoroughly consider the advantages and disadvantages of egg freezing.
The Mainichi
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Mainichi
News in Easy English: Seniors welcome guests as maids at cafe in Gunma Pref.
KIRYU, Gunma -- In Kiryu, Gunma Prefecture, seniors started working as cafe maids one year ago. They started this cafe to give older people a nice place to meet and relax. Now, the cafe has over 10 "maids" aged 65 or older. Many different kinds of people enjoy visiting this special place. The cafe even plans to do events to help older people find love and friendship. The name of the cafe is "Meido Cafe Shangri-La." ("Meido" is funny in Japanese, because it can mean both "maid" and "afterlife.") Every workday, the senior maids gather before the cafe opens at 8 a.m. They say, "Let's be lively, cheerful and beautiful again today!" One maid is Nene, 72, who started working last December. Before becoming a maid, she had only worked at home. At first, she worried about talking to many new people. Now, she enjoys her new role very much. She said her son noticed she looks happier now. Popo, 75, started her first day as a maid when the Mainichi Shimbun visited. Popo said she loved visiting the cafe as a customer, so she wanted to become a maid herself. "Today is my first day, so I'm still learning," she said with a smile. Meido Cafe Shangri-La opened in July last year. At first, it opened just two hours on one Saturday per month. But it got popular quickly, with many customers waiting to get in. Now, it opens four hours. Deco, 67, and Coco, 66, started work at the cafe from its first day. Deco's mother (87 years old) sometimes does fun paper-folding (origami) lessons there. Deco's daughter (41 years old) also came one day to help. Deco's daughter said, "My mother really loves being a maid." This cafe is special, and sometimes does funny events. Once, people could even try lying inside a coffin. Now, the cafe plans to hold senior "matchmaking" events, where older people can find love or new friends. Customers like the cafe's friendly, happy feeling. One regular customer is a truck driver. He said, "After working all night, talking with the maids helps me relax. It feels really good." A young university student, aged 21, said, "I came alone, but the maids were very friendly and kind." She liked the cafe very much, and plans to write about it in her school graduation thesis on local cafes. (Japanese original by Kazuhiko Toyama, Kiryu Local Bureau) Vocabulary senior: an older person customer: a person who visits a place like a cafe, restaurant, or shop matchmaking: introducing people who want to find love and friendship regular: doing something often; someone who visits the same place many times coffin: a box that the body of a person goes into after they die role: a person's job or position, what you do in a place or event graduation thesis: the final essay a student needs to graduate from university
The Mainichi
4 days ago
- Health
- The Mainichi
The more library books per capita, the fewer residents require nursing care: Japan study
TOKYO -- Researchers in Japan have found that the more public library books a municipality has, the fewer residents require long-term nursing care. Why is this? The Mainichi Shimbun spoke with one of the authors of the research paper titled " Public libraries and functional disability: A cohort study of Japanese older adults." The research was led by Koryu Sato, a lecturer at Keio University's Faculty of Policy Management, and Saeko Otani, a Kyoto University Faculty of Medicine graduate currently in training, using the results of a survey tracking more than 70,000 elderly individuals over seven years, and their study was published in the March issue of the medical journal SSM - Population Health. 'So, what is it about libraries?' Sato, who studied data analysis at the University of Tokyo's Faculty of Economics, holds a master's degree in public health from Harvard University and a doctorate in economics from Waseda University. His specialties are medical economics and social epidemiology. The research began after Otani, then an aspiring doctor and avid reader, expressed a desire to study the relationship between reading and health. However, many previous studies have already explored the connection between reading habits and health. For instance, a lifespan study released by Yale University in 2016 followed 3,635 people aged 50 and above for 12 years, finding that those with reading habits had a 20% lower mortality rate over 12 years compared to nonreaders. Additionally, readers had a 23-month longer period before their survival rate dropped to 80%. Other studies have shown that reading helps prevent cognitive decline. "Reading alone lacks novelty," Sato thought, prompting Otani to suggest, "So, what is it about libraries?" Thus began their unique study on libraries and health. An unexpected correlation They utilized data from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study, one of the largest surveys of elderly individuals in Japan. The study analyzed data from 73,138 people aged 65 and older who were healthy in 2013 and lived in 19 cities and towns across the country, tracking them until 2021. During this period, 16,336 individuals, or 22.3%, were certified as needing long-term nursing care. Sato and Otani examined the number of books in public libraries in these 19 municipalities and analyzed their relationship with the number of certifications showing people required long-term care. "In fact, we didn't expect a correlation between libraries and health," Sato admitted. The results were therefore surprising. More books, fewer nursing care certifications? The data analysis revealed a correlation: municipalities with one more book per capita had 4% fewer care certifications, and those with 10 more books per capita had 34% fewer certifications. The national average is about 3.7 books per person, according to the 2024 public library tallies, but in Tokyo's 23 special wards alone, the number ranges from roughly two to eight books, with Chiyoda Ward having the most. Some might question whether municipalities with many library books are wealthier, offering more services, and whether residents are richer and more health-conscious in the first place. However, Sato explained that the results account for demographic and socioeconomic factors. Specifically, they adjusted for factors such as age, gender, years of education, household income, marital status, employment status, social participation, municipal financial strength and population density to ensure these did not influence the results. "What we found is merely a correlation, not a strict causal relationship, so we can't definitively say 'increasing library books will reduce long-term care certifications,'" Sato said. "However, even after removing the influence of various factors, the correlation with the long-term care risk was clear." Health benefits even for nonreaders? Their study also found that while there was a significant correlation between the number of library books and long-term care risks among those with established reading habits, it still existed for nonreaders. This suggests that living in a municipality with many library books may extend healthy life expectancy, even for those who don't read. Why do library books benefit the elderly's health? Sato suggested, "I think that the number of books indicates the library's richness. Having an excellent library nearby is thought to offer physical, cognitive and social participation benefits." He added, "One is the physical effect. Going to the library instead of reading at home contributes to health. Preceding studies show that prolonged sitting is harmful for health, and even without physical exercise, just light walking is beneficial for health." Libraries offer more than just reading The second benefit is cognitive function. Sato explained, "Reading itself is brain training, and unlike regular reading, going to a library offers unexpected book encounters, broadening knowledge. Library events can also stimulate intellectual curiosity." The third benefit is social participation. Sato noted, "Participating in regular activities like hobbies helps maintain cognitive function and reduce mortality, according to previous studies. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare also focuses on 'community places' where elderly people can conduct activities to prevent care and frailty. A large collection of books indicates that the library is large, and it may serve as a hub for community activities. Libraries also have heating and cooling. This potentially bridges economic and living environment gaps for the elderly, such as those with or without air conditioners." Indeed, libraries offer benefits beyond just reading, such as physical and social participation advantages. The key is 'social participation' On weekdays, libraries are filled with elderly men who are "regular library-goers." Previously, they were often negatively viewed in Japan as "people who can't enjoy retirement" or "those without a place in the family." However, knowing that regular library visits reduce long-term care risk might change perceptions of people around them. Interestingly, however, the correlation between the number of library books and health was stronger for women than men in this study. Despite the perception that elderly men dominate library visits, why is this the case? Sato speculated, "It may be due to the degree of 'social participation.'" He added, "While men benefit physically and cognitively from library visits, women overwhelmingly excel in social participation. In terms of this, I think that women likely gain more from library events and group activities." Indeed, "social participation" might be the key to further improving the health of elderly men who frequent libraries. (Japanese original by Ayako Oguni, Opinion Editorial Department)
The Mainichi
5 days ago
- The Mainichi
Police suspect murder after 98-yr-old woman found dead at home in central Japan
The Mie Prefectural Police first investigation division and Toba Police Station set up an investigative task force on June 23 after an elderly woman was found dead at her home in the prefectural city of Shima, suspecting murder. According to the prefectural police, Teruko Tani, 98, was found in her pajamas on a futon facing up in a room near the entrance, her face covered in blood, by her 94-year-old brother at around 10 a.m. on June 20. He contacted the police via her primary physician. Tani lived alone, and there were no signs suggesting someone went through the house. An autopsy found that Tani had marks on her head suggesting she had been struck, and had suffered fractures to both arms and her upper jaw. An eyewitness reportedly saw Tani's relative, who is now hospitalized for her underlying conditions, leave the house after hearing what sounded like an argument at around 9 p.m. on June 19. Police believe that this relative may know the circumstances of Tani's death, and plan to question her after she recovers. Tani's house is located in a residential area near a fishing port. A neighbor told the Mainichi Shimbun, "I saw her often hanging out the laundry and taking the trash out, but I haven't seen her at all this past week or so." (Japanese original by Nene Haseyama, Tsu Bureau, and Tadayuki Otake, Ise Bureau)
