Young Romance Is In Crisis In Japan

A recent study conducted by marriage introduction service company O-net (オーネット) in Japan revealed that The percentage of 20-year-olds with experience in romantic relationships and desire to get married has reached its lowest level in the last decade. This phenomenon could be related to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which coincided with the beginning of the high school stage for this group.

According to the survey results, Only 53.7% of respondents reported having had experience in romantic relationships, the lowest figure recorded in the last 10 years. When broken down by gender, 53.5% of men indicated they had had romantic relationships, a figure similar to the previous year (53.1%). However, women experienced a sharp decline, going from 70.2% the previous year to 53.8% this year.

Regarding marriage, 73.2% of those surveyed expressed that they want to get married at some point (“soon” or “in the future”), but this figure also represents a historical low. On the other hand, 26.8% declared they had no interest in getting married (“I don’t want to” or “I have no intention of doing so”).

O-net analyzes that This phenomenon could be due to reduced opportunities to socialize and develop relationships during the pandemic.which began when this group entered high school. And the comments from the community did not take long to arrive:

«It seems that women no longer feel the need to pretend».
«If you continue to consider teenage pregnancy and childbirth as taboo, of course there will be a low birth rate. Even a fool understands it».
«If you implement polygamy, the birth rate will drop even more».
«It is not possible that in a survey of this type the percentage changes 20% from one year to the next. There must have been some change in the methodology».
«This simply reflects that, economically, today’s 20-year-olds have a harder time due to rising prices and are poorer than previous generations.».
«Banning close physical contact nationwide was a mistake in Japan».
«Getting married is not cost-effective».
«Bar hosts and older men offering ‘papa-katsu’ (financial relationships with young women) are taking it all in».
«If your partner isn’t something you can brag about, it’s better to brag about how much you spent supporting your idol.».
«I want to change this country, Japan. We must promote the idea that getting married is a tax saving and a way to find happiness».