“Japan’s birthrate is falling, fewer people are getting married, and more people seem content staying single. What about Kenya?”
That was the reader’s question in this edition of カンバ通信 (Kamba Correspondence), a column written by a member of the Kamba community sharing everyday life in Kenya. The topic? Whether the trend of choosing single life is unique to Japan—or part of a wider global shift.
Let’s take a closer look at what’s happening in Kenya.
Dating and Marriage in Kenya: It Depends on Your Wallet
The writer explains that in Kenya, romance and marriage often change depending on your financial situation. In Japanese, you can express this idea with:
- お財布事情によって違う (osaifu jijō ni yotte chigau) “It differs depending on one’s financial circumstances.”
The key word here is 事情 (jijō), meaning “circumstances” or “situation.” And just like in Japan, money plays a big role.
1. Wealthy Kenyans
For those with money, dating often involves matching apps and stylish, high-end venues. Couples might meet at luxury hotels or fashionable restaurants. Even marriage discussions and preparations take place in these elegant spaces.
The environment reflects their status—and their options.
2. The Middle Class
Middle-class couples tend to choose more 手頃 (tegoro) places—meaning affordable or reasonably priced restaurants and hotels.
One interesting detail: some couples buy food, drinks, and even chips (French fries) and enjoy their date inside a car. The car becomes a private space just for the two of them.
Notice how the dating style changes 経済状況によって (keizai jōkyō ni yotte) — depending on economic conditions.
3. The Kamba Community
Among many local Kamba people, dating is described as more 素朴 (soboku)—simple and unpretentious.
Couples may walk together while talking or stop along the roadside for conversation. Because private spaces can be limited, some spend quiet time together in nature instead.
There’s no mention of expensive restaurants or luxury settings—just shared time and conversation.
Is Choosing to Be Single Only a Japanese Trend?
The article then turns to a bigger question: Is the preference for staying single unique to Japan?
In Japan, we often hear about:
- 少子高齢化 (shōshi kōreika) — declining birthrate and aging population
- Increasing numbers of 未婚 (mikon) people — unmarried individuals
But Kenya is also seeing change.
Recently, more people in Kenya are choosing to remain single. One major reason is 物価 (bukka)—rising prices. The writer explains that even spending 100 Kenyan shillings (about 111 yen) now requires much more caution than before.
Here’s a useful grammar pattern from the article:
- 物価が高くなりすぎたため、生活が大変だ。 Bukka ga takaku narisugita tame, seikatsu ga taihen da. “Because prices have become too high, life is difficult.”
The grammar 〜ため（に） (tame ni) expresses cause or reason: “because of” or “due to.”
Just like Japan, economic pressure is influencing people’s decisions about marriage.
Another reason mentioned? Relationships can be complicated. Some people prefer to avoid trouble or difficult 距離感 (kyorikan)—the delicate sense of emotional distance in human relationships—and choose to stay alone.
Love and marriage, the writer suggests, are not shaped by ideals alone. They are shaped by reality.
Cultural Context: Different Countries, Similar Pressures
While the cultural backgrounds of Japan and Kenya are very different, this article highlights something universal: economic stress changes personal choices.
In Japan, discussions about marriage often focus on work culture, income stability, and demographic trends like 少子高齢化 (shōshi kōreika). In Kenya, rising 物価 (bukka) is making everyday life more difficult.
The settings may differ—luxury hotels, parked cars, roadside chats, or quiet nature spots—but the underlying question is similar:
Can I afford this life?
Learn Japanese from This Article
Key Vocabulary
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 少子高齢化 | shōshi kōreika | declining birthrate and aging population |
| 未婚 | mikon | unmarried |
| 事情 | jijō | circumstances, situation |
| 手頃 | tegoro | affordable, reasonably priced |
| 素朴 | soboku | simple, plain |
| 物価 | bukka | prices (of goods) |
| 距離感 | kyorikan | sense of distance (in relationships) |
Try making your own sentence:
- 日本では未婚の人が増えています。 Nihon de wa mikon no hito ga fuete imasu. “In Japan, the number of unmarried people is increasing.”
Grammar Spotlight
1. 〜によって (depending on)
Structure: Noun + によって
Examples:
人によって考え方が違います。 Hito ni yotte kangaekata ga chigaimasu. “Ways of thinking differ depending on the person.”
お金によって生活は変わります。 Okane ni yotte seikatsu wa kawarimasu. “Life changes depending on money.”
This pattern is essential when discussing social differences.
2. 〜ため（に） (because of; due to)
Structure: Plain form + ため（に）
Examples:
物価が高い ため、結婚が難しいです。 Bukka ga takai tame, kekkon ga muzukashii desu. “Because prices are high, marriage is difficult.”
忙しいため、デートできません。 Isogashii tame, dēto dekimasen. “Because I’m busy, I can’t go on a date.”
You’ll see this structure frequently in news-style Japanese.
Useful Expression
- 独身がいい (dokushin ga ii) “Being single is better.”
Short, simple, and emotionally powerful. It reflects a personal value judgment—something you’ll hear more often in modern discussions.
Continue Learning
📚 Want to understand the verb forms used here? Check out Masu Form: Mastering Polite Everyday Speech.
📚 Ready to dive deeper? Our lesson on Greetings and Self-Introductions: Authentic Entry Phrases will help you master these concepts.
📚 Curious about the Japanese used here? Our Basic Vocabulary Building: Embracing Words Without Latin Ties lesson covers this in depth.
Basic Vocabulary Building: Embracing Words Without Latin Ties
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