On Saturday, June 7, 2025, as part of the “Rethinking Society through Dialogue Vol. 1” event, we invited documentary director Rionne McAvoy and screened his film, THE ONES LEFT BEHIND: The Plight of Single Mothers in Japan. After the screening, participants shared their reflections in small groups and had the opportunity to hear directly from the director. 

We also welcomed Ms. Mayumi Nishida (Co-Representative Director of Heartful Family, a support organization for single-parent families) and Ms. Emiri Sato (Representative Director of Shinmamalabo), who joined the event and shared their insights during the Q&A session. Their presence and perspectives added depth to the discussion and allowed participants to better understand the reality faced by single mothers in Japan. 

The documentary THE ONES LEFT BEHIND was inspired by the director’s candid sense of discomfort, as a foreigner, with how the poverty experienced by children and single mothers in Japan often remains “hidden.” According to a 2019 report by the Cabinet Office, the child poverty rate in Japan is one in seven and rises to nearly half among single-parent households. 

Based on interviews with those directly affected, the film explores the root causes of the difficulties single mothers face in Japan. It touches on a wide range of issues, including the shift from family-run businesses to salaried work following postwar economic growth, the resulting changes in family structures, the weakening of local communities, and wage disparities both between men and women and between regular and non-regular workers. It also addresses gaps in the legal system—such as the problem of unpaid child support after divorce. 

The film shows that the challenges single mothers face are not the result of individual circumstances, but rather the consequence of overlapping societal issues in Japan. 

After the screening, participants were divided into small groups of four to five to openly share their impressions of the film and listen to each other’s stories. Several single mothers shared their own experiences and journeys, which enriched conversation and deepened understanding. 

During the Q&A session, Ms. Nishida and Ms. Sato spoke about their personal experiences and the support initiatives they are involved in. Their words, grounded in both personal and professional insight, offered encouragement and hope. Many participants expressed how inspired and empowered they felt by hearing their stories. 

The director also shared behind-the-scenes insights into the making of the film and his motivation as an Australian creating a documentary about Japan. He spoke about how, as a foreigner, he can question aspects of Japanese society that may be taken for granted by locals, and how such questioning becomes the foundation for his films. He explained that the inspiration for this documentary came from witnessing a single mother he knew struggling financially without seeking help from anyone around her. 

At Wesley Zaidan, our mission is to nurture leaders who work to solve social issues in communities across Japan and around the world, guided by our three pillars: Women’s Empowerment, Next Generation Development, and Humanitarian Work. 

Through this event, we deepened our understanding of the experiences of single mothers in Japan and reflected on broader societal issues. We look forward to continuing to create spaces for thoughtful dialogue and learning from diverse perspectives.