Jajakautuminen

Jajakautuminen, also known as繁る or yojorian, is a complex social phenomenon and family planning strategy practiced in Japan prior to World War II. It involves the deliberate spacing of births to control the timing and number of children in a family.

This practice was implemented by couples as a means of reducing poverty, promoting economic stability, and increasing social status. By spacing births three to four years apart, families were able to provide for each child's education and well-being, thereby avoiding poverty and social disgrace. Jajakautuminen allowed for higher investment in the education and skills of each child, which was highly valued in Japanese society.

This practice also contributed to a shift in social attitudes toward family size and spacing. Traditional values emphasizing large families were gradually replaced by a more modern approach to family planning, placing greater emphasis on the quality of life and individual well-being.

Jajakautuminen was also closely tied to the country's economic and population growth policies in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Regional differences and social variations played a significant role in the prevalence and practice of the jajakautuminen.

By the mid-1940s, the practice of jajakautuminen involved significant social and economic costs. Its impacts on birth rates, population mobility, and regional development highlighted the need for public policies addressing family planning and marital laws.