Signs of the “ohitorisama” are everywhere in Japan, from cinemas offering seats with partitions to theme parks that let singles jump the queue at certain rides.
Grocery stores sell condiments and vegetables for single diners while travel agents design itineraries aimed at the solo voyager.
The “super solo society” has become a buzzword among social scientists and marketing gurus.
“Businesses are offering various goods and services to meet the trend of people enjoying solo activities,” said Motoko Matsushita, senior consultant with Nomura Research Institute.
“The depth and range of such services reflect the expanding nature of the consumer trend,” she said.
The growing phenomenon is also helping to liberate individuals from feeling like they have to conform to peer pressure, added Matsushita.
Surveys show Japanese consumers — especially younger ones — rate quality time alone above hours spent with family and friends.
Official data show the ratio of households with parents and children is gradually shrinking as fewer adults form relationships.
In 1980 in Japan, only one in 50 men had never been married by the age of 50 and one in
Restaurants are also cashing in. At the “Ichiran” ramen noodle chain, it is possible to enjoy a meal with barely any human interaction whatsoever.
Customers order from vending machines and then sit in a partitioned booth to slurp down their noodles, unlike the experience at many ramen joints, where orders are shouted by teams of chefs behind greasy counters.
“We were doing this even before the solo activities trend started. This ‘personal space’ concept has been well received in foreign markets too” said Satomi Nozaki, spokeswoman at the popular chain, which also has outlets overseas.
Karaoke fan Kitakoga also enjoys solo travel, taking himself off alone to a remote island in southern Japan last year.
“Sure, it would have been fun to travel with friends too. But I knew what I wanted to do there and it was fantastic because I was able to do everything I wanted to do at the pace I wanted to do it,” he said.