The Japanese Family in Transition

Abstract

Family as a basic unit of society holds an important place in every society. It comprises of the mother, father and children. The family is also an adaptive institution, not fixed for ever, but evolving in response to the changing demands of life. This paper describes the family system in Japan i.e from traditional to modern. The family in Japan began to take on modern form and function characteristics in the high growth period of the 1960s from that time on, the number of employed worker household rose sharply until they formed the majority. At the same time, households became smaller, also a modern characteristic. The Japanese family has, over the last century, undergone a remarkable change, reflecting the economic, political and social transformation of the nation.