Remarriage migration of women in Asia: The case of Japan

Abstract

This study aims to confirm the diversity of intra-Asian female marriage migrants in Japan with comprehensive statistics.Methodologically, I used quantitative method, collecting appropriate data from local demographic and immigration statistics in Japan. Simultaneously, I reviewed related empirical studies on the various factors affecting marriage migration, including those written in the local language (Japanese). Results indicate that 42.9 per cent of intra-Asian female marriage migrants in Japan were middle-aged women whose marriages to Japanese men were their second.Beyond a simple development-migration nexus perspective on marriage migration in Asia, middle-aged women entering Japan for their second marriage often aim to escape social stigmatization and poverty and to overcome the difficulties of marrying late or remarrying in their own countries.A more complex intersectionality of gender-class-age stigmatization should be considered to understand marriage migration. The findings have important policy implications for both origin and destination countries.