TOKYO (AFP) - The smartly-dressed Japanese husband and wife stand side-by-side, surrounded by close friends, in front of a clergyman-like figure. He asks them to smash their wedding rings with a hammer.

Hiroki Terai is a self-styled "divorce planner" who conducts solemn ceremonies during which he invites couples to show their disaffection for one another before they -- in most cases -- walk away smiling.

"I don't think the concept of divorce is a negative thing," said Terai.

"Instead of spending a lifetime bickering, it is much better to wrap up the relationship and restart separately."

The nation's divorce rate has steadily climbed since the 1960s, from an average of 70,000 couples terminating their marriage each year to nearly four times that amount with some 253,000 couples separating in 2009.

Terai said that with less pressure over marital status and family relations in Japanese society, more people are looking for the chance to reset their lives.

"Even since childhood, I was always curious why people don't hold divorce ceremonies, even though they have wedding ceremonies," said Terai, who remains a bachelor at 31.

"Amicable divorce is something I admire. If I divorce, I want to have a divorce ceremony."

Terai last week held a divorce ceremony for his 79th couple -- 38-year-old Kenji and his wife Keiko (not their real names) -- to help them celebrate the beginning of a happier life apart.

"We've been married for seven years, and it's not easy to end it just by signing a paper," said Kenji before the divorce ceremony in Tokyo. "This is a chance to clarify our feelings and start again."

In contrast, Keiko was less enthusiastic about the event. "I am only doing this as a last favor for my soon-to-be ex-husband," said the 36-year-old, fully dressed in black to represent the death of their marriage.