Japan: Retired Husband Syndrome was broadcast on Tuesday, 14 November, 2006 at 2150 BST on BBC Two.

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The comments published on this page reflect a balance of views we received.

My generation was brought up to do everything for their man while he earned the money. I have had chronic fatigue for years and now I can see why!! Thank you for your programme. I don't think this problem only relates to women in Japan. Thank goodness things are changing.
Fiona, Inverness

Fairly good programme overall but it was such a shame that the ridiculous voiceovers took so much away from the delivery. Why is it the BBC cannot just use subtitles? They stop more accurate translation and would at least enable the viewer to gain a sense of the tone and emotion in the person's voice.
Adrian Thomas, Lancaster

This programme has explained my up-to-now mixed-up feelings about my relationship with my husband. It could help to save it or end it. Whichever, I thank you for clearing my mind that everything is not my fault and I am not going nuts!
A F, Tavistock

Wonderful programme, very well plotted and directed, beautiful operator work, good narrator, amazing characters and a story well-told. I enjoyed it on TV so much that I watched it again on the website. Please make more programmes like that on social climate and problems in Japan.
Lola, UK

I think that I am suffering from Retired Husband Syndrome but it is more complicated. I certainly feel better when my husband is out, though I feel very lonely at the same time. I have told my husband several times that he is making me ill but he cannot understand it. I do not see why I should have to divorce him because we have grown apart. Why should I live in a small house and suffer financially? On the other hand, I find his treatment of me very belittling. He is very critical of everything I do, so I have stopped doing anything. I do not think this is only in Japan but here there is no acknowledgement of it and certainly no treatment.
Nell Baker, UK

My husband and I are both 50. I look forward to retirement with absolute dread. My home is my refuge. It is my domain. I don't want him hanging around all the time. If he had interests, it might be better. He doesn't. I anticipate that he'll just sit around watching TV. How depressing.
Lori, USA

In some companies and some countries, retirement courses are held, covering financial and social aspects of retirement. In Brunei, where the retirement age is 55 years old (BSP), someone who had been on the course told me he'd been taught how to "keep out of his wife's hair"! My former employer in the UK opted for a course as part of his retirement package and found it useful. Some people of course, don't have the luxury of retirement...
J Maskall, Aberdeen

Fascinating programme. At first, it all seemed quite strange, but are these women so different from our own mothers and fathers? I don't think so. What was really nice to see was them making an effort to find their way back to one another. Really excellent TV.
R, Kent

I am from Kobe, Japan. The syndrome makes crystal clear sense to me. It helped to sum up what's been going on. My mother is one of the victims. She used to tell me that she wondered what would happen after my father's retirement. She was afraid of the loss of her freedom and suffocation of being with my father for more time. The realisation of the syndrome encourages society to find solutions.
Kaori Youkee, London