ECONOMY｜CULTURE
Why Christmas Eve Is the Worst Day for Singles in Japan
Depressing J-POP Christmas songs symbolize Japan’s sluggish economy
Have you ever heard of the Japanese slang クリぼっち(kuri-bocchi)? It’s a portmanteau of クリスマス (kurisumasu, Christmas) and 一人ぼっち (hitori-bocchi, alone), which became common to describe spending Christmas alone in the 2010s.
Ever since social media started revealing people’s best moments in their lives, there have been those who openly lament their lonely Christmas on the other end of the spectrum. In particular, spending Christmas with one’s romantic partner is a typical practice in Japan over the past decades. That’s why someone’s grumbling appears on your Twitter timeline if you follow Japanese accounts:
クリぼっち確定つらい
It’s tough to confirm that I'll be alone for Christmas.
But wait, what has made Christmas in Japan unbearable for those who are not in their relationships?
Bubble Economy and J-POP Set the Tone
Japan is not a Christian country but influenced by movies and music from the West, celebrates Christmas in a uniquely Japanese fashion. Rather than a religious holiday, it’s a night for lovers.
