For Better or Worst

I witnessed a wedding in Kaohsiung, Southern Taiwan

"The disaster gave us an opportunity to re-think our relationship, " one of the Japanese husbands says

Some ten years ago, a journalist friend of mine was a determined never-married man. So was his longterm live-in girlfriend. You know what? They married soon after he had encountered a severe clear air turbulence on a business trip.

I witnessed a wedding in Kaohsiung, Southern Taiwan

The massive 311 quake and tsunami in March 2011 have triggered two very different reactions in Japan.

One survey shows 30 percent of women and 25 percent of men more eager to marry because of the disaster. The wedding industry reported sales up as much as 20 percent last year.

I witnessed a wedding in Kaohsiung, Southern Taiwan

But as some exchange bonding vows, divorce is also a smash hit. Another survey shows 15 percent of men and women are thinking something else.

For one divorce planner, business is booming since the tragedy of last Spring.