Studies on educational assortative mating in international marriage are scarce compared with those in homo-ethnic marriage. By comparing international (between a Japanese and non-Japanese national) with Japanese (between two native Japanese) and immigrant (between two immigrants) marriages, this study analyzes the patterns of international marriages in Japan. It uses log-linear models to determine whether or not the strength of educational assortative mating varies across marital types by levels of education. Results indicate that Japanese individuals with low and high levels of education in homo-ethnic marriages exhibit an extremely high rate of educational assortative mating. Although statistically nonsignificant, immigrant couples display a similar pattern in terms of the strength of educational association. However, international marriages demonstrate the absence of educational homogamy among highly educated couples even after controlling for marginal distribution. Furthermore, the result of international marriages indicates that no difference exists between the patterns of female educational hypergamy and hypogamy. In summary, the result does not support the educational assortative mating and status exchange hypotheses in explaining international marriage patterns in Japan.

論文