A man in Japan chose to “graduate from marriage,” living a single life with a 50-million-yen (US$340,000) pension, but ended up eating instant noodles every day.
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Graduating from marriage, or “sotsukon” in Japanese, is when couples remain married but choose to live separately in pursuit of independence and freedom.
First introduced by a Japanese female writer in 2004, it is reportedly becoming more common among middle-aged and elderly couples seeking a better quality of life in their later years.
Many choose this lifestyle to resolve differing values or relieve life stresses.
However, a man’s predicament recently brought the trend back into the media spotlight, sparking discussions over whether it is suitable for everyone.
In late July, The Gold Online reported that Tetsu Yamada lived in a bustling area of Tokyo with his wife and two sons.