Japanese say ‘I do not’ with divorce ceremonies

Japan: The smartly-dressed Japanese husband and wife stand side-by-side, surrounded by close friends, in front of a clergyman-like figure. He asks them to smash their wedding rings with a hammer.

Hiroki Terai is a self-styled “divorce planner” who conducts solemn ceremonies during which he invites couples to show their disaffection for one another before they in most cases walk away smiling.

“I don’t think the concept of divorce is a negative thing,” said Terai. “Instead of spending a lifetime bickering, it is much better to wrap up the relationship and restart separately.” The nation’s divorce rate has steadily climbed since the 1960s, from an average of 70,000 couples terminating their marriage each year.

Tokyo, Tuesday, AFP