Japan consults with young people as many don't want to get married, have kids amid population crisis
The government of Japan has consulted with young people to get their opinions as many don't want to get married or have children—in light of the country's population crisis.
The Guardian reported that the Children and Families Agency, established in 2023, had its first working group meeting on July 19 to support young people in finding partners through dating, matchmaking, and other means.
Those in attendance included people considering marriage in the future.
An official acknowledged that young people's ideas on marriage are different from what was once considered standard.
They're seeking the views of experts—and now the singles.
“The main premise is that marriage and child-rearing should be based on the respect for diverse values and ways of thinking of individuals,” said Ayuko Kato, the minister of state for policies related to children, during the meeting. “We would be grateful if we could hear your real voices–what you are thinking, what is preventing you from making your wishes come true.”
The agency cited a survey that found that of single people aged 25 to 34 years old, 43.3% of men and 48.1% said they had no opportunity to meet potential partners in 2021.
Comparatively few children are born to unmarried people in Japan, according to The Guardian.
The decline in marriage, then, has been cited as a significant reason for the low birthrate—and dwindling, aging population.
Other surveys showed that many young Japanese don't want to marry or have families because of worries about the high cost of living in big cities and lack of good jobs.
Their work culture also makes it difficult for both partners to have jobs, if not the woman struggling to return to full-time employment after motherhood.