Japanese government still lists refusing to pay for dates as a form of domestic violence
Once again, there’s a lot of nuance that’s lost in the attempt to be succinct. As you can probably guess from its name, the Japanese government’s Gender Equality Bureau isn’t a fan of imbalance in interpersonal relationships. What is surprising to many people, though, is the bureau’s assertion that “not paying for any dating expenses” […]
In Japan, the government's Gender Equality Bureau lists "not paying for any dating expenses" as a form of domestic violence. This assertion, which appears on the bureau's website, has generated significant online discussion. Examples of "physical violence," "sexual violence," and "psychological violence" are provided, but it is the bureau's discussion of "economic violence" that has been drawing attention.
While economic violence examples include refusing to repay borrowed money, accessing someone's bank account without permission, and controlling one's employment, the inclusion of "not paying for any dating expenses" has sparked debate. The Gender Equality Bureau acknowledges that both men and women can be victims of economic violence, particularly when one person forces the other to pay for dating expenses against their will.
The bureau clarifies that it is not intended to shame individuals for consistently accepting dating expenses. However, the vague language used in their guidelines leaves room for misinterpretation, as it does not take into account the specific circumstances of each couple.
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