A new trend has emerged in Japan where young women are rejecting traditional marriage ceremonies in favor of single weddings, where they “marry” themselves. Mana Sakura, a Japanese adult film star, is one of the prime examples of the “single wedding” trend in the country.
In March 2019, Mana Sakura held a unique wedding ceremony, with only herself as the bride. During the ceremony, she put a ring on her finger and vowed: "I will respect my own life. Whether healthy or sick, I will always love myself and make myself happy."
Mana Sakura's wedding is a powerful affirmation of self-love and female independence. It is also a testament to the changing concept of marriage and happiness in modern Japanese society.
Japanese women hold their own weddings
Responding to this trend, some people simply want to wear a beautiful wedding dress, others want to mark a personal milestone, according to South China Morning Post.
Unlike a traditional wedding, a “single wedding” is attended by only the bride or groom. Instead of being tied to another person, a “single wedding” is an opportunity for people to express their love and appreciation for themselves. The wedding ceremony is an affirmation of each individual’s journey of maturity, independence and confidence. This event is believed to be unconstrained by traditional rules, bringing creative freedom and unique experiences to each person.
Exchanging rings and reading vows by themselves, women go through sacred events alone
Single marriages are a sign of changing times. Many Japanese women can now support themselves without marriage and are reluctant to be bound by traditional culture.
Japanese society is increasingly open to new values, and the concept of marriage is gradually changing. Many young people choose to be single and seek happiness within themselves. As Japanese women become more financially independent, they are able to pay for their own weddings and freely choose how to organize them as they wish. "Single weddings" help each person spend time and energy to cultivate themselves, pursue their passions and develop themselves.
Thanks to the single trend, Japan has become a "golden market" for the singles service industry. The number of singles in Japan is increasing, leading to a boom in the market for service industries for those who choose to live independently. In 2023, the number of weddings in Japan fell to a 90-year low, with just under 500,000 couples. This trend shows a change in the concept of marriage and family among Japanese people.
With the marriage rate decreasing, the demand of single people is increasing. They are willing to pay for services that help them enjoy their independent life to the fullest. Travel companies launch many travel packages specifically for singles, with services such as private tour guides, luxury single rooms, and activities tailored to individual interests.
Japan is gradually becoming more open to new trends among young people.
The single trend in Japan opens up many opportunities for businesses that understand the market demand. By providing innovative services that suit the desires of singles, businesses can attract a large number of potential customers and reap success. This meets the lifestyle preferences of single Japanese people, who have less family burdens and higher incomes, allowing them to focus on improving their quality of life.
The trend of "single weddings" is attracting attention and creating heated debates in Japan and China. Some people support this trend as a symbol of women's independence and autonomy. They believe that women are completely capable of creating their own happiness and do not need to rely on men. Single weddings are a way for them to affirm their own values and appreciate their own journey of growing up.
They see this as an opportunity to affirm their own values, to let women shine.
However, this trend has also received mixed opinions. Some people believe that having a wedding alone is loneliness in disguise. They worry that women who choose a "single wedding" may be having difficulty in relationships or lack self-confidence.
In addition, some opinions also believe that this form is going against traditional values of marriage and family. They believe that marriage is a union between two people and that organizing a wedding by only one person is incomplete. Besides the debates, "single wedding" is also a social phenomenon that reflects changes in the concept of marriage and human happiness.
Whatever the choice, it is important that each person feels happy and satisfied with their own life. There should be openness and respect for individual choices and avoidance of prejudice or imposition.
