Shocked and Grateful: Reflections on Rionne McAvoy's 'The Ones Left Behind'

A guest post from a Japanese single mother living in Holland

Before I post the guest post, I have some great news! I am thrilled to announce that our award-winning documentary has finally secured cinema distribution. After years of hard work and dedication, the film will be screening at K's Cinema in Shinjuku this November. This milestone is a testament to the powerful stories shared by the resilient women featured in the film. We invite you to join us at K's Cinema to witness their journey and continue the conversation on this critical issue. Screening from 10:00am every day for one week from November 9th-15th, 2024 - your support has made this possible! Thank you!

And now, here’s the guest post, thank you!

Shocked and Grateful: Reflections on Rionne McAvoy's 'The Ones Left Behind'

As a single mother of two sons living in the Netherlands, I was deeply shocked after watching the #documentary film "The Ones Left Behind" by Rionne McAvoy. This film sheds light on the harsh realities faced by single mothers in Japan and the underlying factors contributing to their difficulties. After watching it, I thought I might not have been able to survive if I were in Japan.

The documentary explains the reasons why single mothers are prone to falling into poverty, covering topics such as Japanese economic growth, change in the family and society, education, spirituality, employment systems, working culture etc. Despite many single mothers working harder than most, they tend to be trapped in a vicious cycle of poverty due to various factors. Japan is known as one of the world's most economically developed nations, but financial and social support for its impoverished population is shockingly limited.

Living in the Netherlands, I have received ample financial, social, and emotional support for raising my children. Especially when my kids were very young, I was able to spend time with them without having to pour 100% of my energy into work, and I attribute this to the support I received. In addition, I also received a lot of support from school communities and neighbors, as well as from family and friends. I am immensely grateful for that.

In Japan, there are grassroots organizations supporting single mothers, and some single mothers have begun cooperating to help one another. However, in order to provide structural support for them, not only are financial subsidies from the government needed, but various legal reforms must also take place.

I hope that more people watch this film and become aware of the difficulties that single mothers in Japan face.

Rionne McAvoy is the director of the award-winning documentary The One's Left Behind: The Plight of Single Mothers in Japan, showcasing his dedication to addressing pressing social issues. A committed documentary filmmaker and professional wrestler, he explores critical themes with passion and insight. Additionally, he has a keen interest in post-World War II Japan, particularly the intricate connections between politicians and gangsters during that era. Known in the wrestling ring as Rionne Fujiwara, he brings the same determination and storytelling prowess from his wrestling persona to his filmmaking endeavors.