This article explores the changing social landscape in Japan, focusing on the dwindling numbers of full-time homemakers. It delves into how such societal shifts have been happening, the implications they hold for the traditional family unit, and the reality of the lives of these 'vanishing' homemakers. Furthermore, it discusses the factors driving these changes, like the increasing economic pressures necessitating dual-income families and evolving societal expectations around gender roles.

In Japan, the role of the full-time homemaker once held significant societal value and was a fairly common choice. However, contemporary Japan faces a declining birthrate, an aging population, and women's increasing workforce participation, changing the traditional family structure. Public opinion has also been shifting, with more people advocating for gender equality and shared household responsibilities.

In contrast, in the US and EU, these shifts have been ongoing for longer, though they're still far from complete. The decline in full-time homemakers began earlier in these regions, fueled by the rise of feminism and women's increased educational attainment and participation in the workforce. However, pressing problems like gender pay gaps and unequal division of housework remain widespread.