The Japanese government has initiated consultations with young people to understand their perspectives on marriage, a move driven by the country’s looming demographic crisis. The population is projected to decline significantly in the coming decades, a trend exacerbated by a persistently low birth rate.
The Children and Families Agency, established in April 2023, held its first working group meeting on Friday, bringing together participants who are considering marriage and experts familiar with the challenges facing young generations. The meeting focused on exploring ways to support young people in finding partners through means such as dating and matchmaking.
An agency official noted that contemporary views on marriage among youth differ from traditional norms, prompting the government to seek input from single individuals to understand their perspectives. Ayuko Kato, Minister of State for Children’s Policies, emphasized the importance of respecting diverse values and individual viewpoints regarding marriage and child-rearing. “We would appreciate hearing your genuine opinions—what you are thinking and what might be hindering you from achieving your goals,” Kato stated.
A survey conducted by the agency among single individuals aged 25 to 34 revealed that 43.3% of men and 48.1% of women had not met potential partners in 2021. Many participants admitted they had not taken steps to improve their chances, such as attending matchmaking events or seeking introductions through friends. This decline in marriage rates is seen as a significant factor contributing to Japan’s low birthrate and aging population.
In 2023, the number of marriages fell below 500,000 for the first time since the 1930s. Concurrently, births decreased by 5.1% to 758,631, approaching the 755,000 figure predicted by the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research for 2035.
Surveys indicate that many young Japanese are hesitant to marry or start families due to concerns over the high cost of living in major cities, limited job opportunities, and a work culture that makes it challenging for both partners to maintain careers or for women to return to full-time work after childbirth. In response, local governments have implemented various measures, including daycare services and matchmaking initiatives. For instance, the Tokyo metropolitan government plans to introduce a dating app this summer.
