Societal filial piety has made traditional individual filial piety much less important in contemporary Japan

In contemporary Japan, the phrase ‘oya‐koh‐koh’–‘filial piety’ is seldom used by young and middle‐aged persons. This is because before and during World War II, the then ultra‐nationalistic Japanese government placed extreme emphasis on the importance of filial piety in parallel with loyalty to the Emperor and to the nation. Therefore, after the war, Japanese people had a strong tendency to regard filial piety as a phrase having a negative connotation that recalls the memory of the terrible and merciless pre‐war rule by the then ultra‐nationalistic government. However, as far as the value is concerned it can rightfully be said that the virtue that the phrase ‘oya‐koh‐koh’–‘filial piety’ did stand for is still maintained and even upheld in contemporary Japan. Another important reason why filial piety receives little attention in contemporary Japan can be found in the highly developed social security and social service programs for the elderly. Owing to these programs Japanese adult children are now only required to care for their parents within the limits of their physical and financial ability.