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The number of households of a small village in northeastern Japan increased 1.5-fold in the 110 years from 1760 to 1870. The mean household size also rose from about five to six persons during the same period. These developments were closely related to the socio-economic conditions of the village. The changes, however, did not occur in a homogeneous fashion across different socio-economic classes. There were clear differences in these trends, particularly between landed peasant and landless peasant households. This article also examines the changes in household structure, using the Hammel and Laslett's typology, and confirms the basic developmental cycle. There existed some notable differences between different socio-economic classes in terms of the types of household transition and also of the likelihood of the transition., Studies in Japanese historical demography for the last three decades have greatly broadened our understanding of peasants' demographic behavior during the Tokugawa period (1600-1868) (e.g., Hayami 1968, 1973, 1988, 1992; [...]

This article examines the adoption practices of South-Tama peasants in late nineteenth-century Japan on the basis of an 1870 household register (2,057 households). We find that the institution of adoption was the major heirship strategy for these households. The probability of adoption varied by the differential number of surviving siblings, and by economic status, thereby creating social mobility among them. Adoption was an important way to redistribute sons, benefitting households with and without sons and preventing household extinction., INTRODUCTION Adoption is a long-standing system of fictional kinship. Although its purpose and emphasis varies across time and space, adoption has played a major part in the traditional law of [...]

The national probability sample of 2,200 old people in Japan revealed that social participation affected the high mortality rate in the old. Social relationships were the major cause for the high mortality rates while social support and feelings of isolation have an oblique effect on the mortality rate. Marital relationship and social connections do not influence old-age problems.

Seasonal variations of mean birth weight from January 1974 to December 1983 and of mean gestational period from January 1979 to December 1983 in Japan are analyzed by time-series analysis. This analysis decomposes the variation in a series into trend, seasonal variation, other cyclic changes, and a remaining irregular fluctuation. The results of the present analysis support the existence of a seasonal rhythm of mean birth weight and mean gestational period in Japan with statistical significance (p |is less than~ 0.001). Seasonal patterns of mean birth weight show two peaks in May and October-November and two troughs in June-September and December. Mean gestational periods shows two peaks in October and February-March and a deep trough in winter and a much smaller one in June-September. Two time series demonstrated a coincidence in monthly variations with statistical significance. These results indicate that a part of seasonality in birth weight could be explained by the seasonal variations in mean gestational period., The existence of the seasonal rhythm of birth weight has been reported by several researchers (Selvin and Janerich 1971; Roberts 1976; Bantje and Niemeyer 1984). However, it is difficult to [...]

A comparison of mortality patterns by marital status in 16 industrialized countries revealed that levels of mortality experienced by single Japanese have been staggeringly high in comparison with those of married Japanese or of singles elsewhere. In this paper, we use a variety of data sources to explore several explanations for the Japanese mortality pattern. Evidence from anthropological studies and attitudinal surveys indicates that marriage is likely to have been and probably continues to be more selective with regard to underlying health characteristics in Japan than elsewhere. However, causal explanations related to the importance of marriage and the family in Japanese society probably contribute to the excess mortality of the single population.

An analysis of mortality rates in the Tenpo famine of 1830 among the Ogenji population was undertaken. The data from the Ojenji death register which provide comprehensive statistics on the Tenpo famine were analyzed and its implications to population growth in Japan were discussed. Results showed that the Tenpo famine was not the sole determinant of the slow population growth in the Ogenji population but it greatly influenced population stagnation in Japan during the 19th and the 20th century.

The younger generations of Japan-born Koreans in Japan is adapting to a newly found identity derived from their Korean roots and their exposure to the Japanese culture. A study conducted among Koreans who have come to Japan in the last 5-10 years and the older generations of Koreans, or Kyopo, showed that new immigrants tend to uphold their Korean identity in Japan's alien environment. The younger Japan-born Koreans draw their new identity from both Korean and Japanese traditions, while their ascendants have adopted Japan's cultural traditions and attitudes readily.

The number of distinguished women was hypothesized to fluctuate over consecutive historical periods according to concomitant changes in the dominant male culture. Three conjectures were evaluated using a sample of 2453 Japanese creators and leaders active between 580 and 1959. Applying generational time-series analysis to 69 consecutive 20-year periods, indicators gauged changes in female literary and nonliterary eminence along with male literary activity, power and aggressive behavior, and ideology. Although the emergence of gender-biased belief systems was negatively associated with female distinction in all domains, literary success of both men and women was linked to similar contextual factors, especially a negative association with male power and aggressive activities. The group-level results are interpreted in terms of possible individual and interpersonal processes.

Population statistics for the UK and its constituent countries and for selected countries worldwide are presented. Population figures covering the period between 1966 and 1990 with associated breakdowns in terms of age, sex and marital status are included together with projected population figures for the period 1996-2011 and data on population changes, live birth rates and death rates.

This paper argues that an important indicator of women's status in different industrial societies is their life cycle employment mobility patterns relative to men's. Data from the 1984 'Survey on Work Patterns' show that Japanese women are more likely than men to experience downward mobility with age, moving out of large firms, full-time employment, and employee status. By linking these mobility patterns to Japanese employment practices, an extension of the analysis to other industrial economies is suggested.

This study compared death anxiety ratings as measured by the Templer Death Anxiety Scale (Templer, 1970) in 121 Japanese and 139 Australian subjects. Japanese subjects had significantly higher death anxiety scores than their Australian counterparts. Australian women scored significantly higher than Australian men, but no sex differences were found in the Japanese sample. A slight but statistically significant positive correlation was found between age and death anxiety scores. This study contradicted other research that indicated that Eastern cultural attitudes mitigated anxiety about death. These findings are discussed in relation to the complex relationship between culture and death anxiety as well as in relation to problems inherent in our current conception of death anxiety.

This paper examines the economic segmentation model in explaining 1985-86 Japanese interregional migration. The analysis takes advantage of statistical graphic techniques to illustrate the following substantive issues of interregional migration: (1) to examine whether economic segmentation significantly influences Japanese regional migration and (2) to explain socioeconomic characteristics of prefectures for both in- and out-migration. Analytic techniques include a latent structural equation (LISREL) methodology and statistical residual mapping. The residual dispersion patterns, for instance, suggest the extent to which socioeconomic and geopolitical variables explain migration differences by showing unique clusters of unexplained residuals. The analysis further points out that extraneous factors such as high residential land values, significant commuting populations, and regional-specific cultures and traditions need to be incorporated in the economic segmentation model in order to assess the extent of the models' reliability in explaining the pattern of interprefectural migration.

Insights into the causes for the persistent, rapid fertility decline and population aging in Japan is analyzed and compared with that of France where the total fertility rate (TFR) has increased. Identifying the areas of divergence can explain these differences and assist in the project of theory building.

A study was conducted to identify the significant features of the destination choices made by new immigrants who entered Japan from 1995 to 2000. Findings indicate that these destination choices were subject to the selective effects of labor-market conditions, the spatial patterns of marital opportunities in theoretically meaningful ways, and the distributions of coethnics.

There are three survival strategies for the revival of metropolitan and provincial regions alike. The creation of advanced consumption sites, establishment of local resources linked to local consumption, and use of age group's savings to cover age group benefits, are guaranteed to promote regional development.

The article is focused on the aging of the population of Japan as forecasted by economic trends. Baby boom generation and generation X are the ones greatly affected by these trends. Income gap, marriage gap, sexless marriages and other factors that contributed to the decline in population growth are enumerated.

The decline in the population of Japan is crucial because of its major impact in economic capacity. Population is undeniably the most important factor in a country's national and economic capacity. An analysis of the Japan Center for Economic Research on demographic trends and economic growth is discussed.

The results of a survey on Japan's baby-boom generation are presented. The implications of the retirement of the baby-boomers in 2008 on the Japanese society and economy are speculated.

The factors responsible for decline in population growth in Japan are analyzed. The importance of enabling women to return to full time jobs after child birth and the need for adding employment opportunities for elderly people is highlighted.

Details of study testing the validity and universality of cognitive age among older people of Japan and United States, are presented.