Single in Japan
What does the rising number of young singles mean for the country’s future?
A newly married Japanese couple wearing traditional kimono, enjoy Hanami, or ‘flower viewing’ beside a cherry tree in full bloom in Kyoto, Japan, 26 March 2013. Everett Kennedy Brown/EPA
Japan is going through what’s being called a ‘celibacy syndrome’ with the number of singles reaching record highs. Research shows that 61% of unmarried men and 49% of women aged 18-34 are not in any kind of romantic relationship. So, what is causing this trend? And what does it mean for a country that is projected to lose a third of its population by 2060? We discuss at 19:30 GMT.
In this episode of the Stream, we speak with:
Roland Kelts @rolandkelts
Author, “Japanamerica: How Japanese Pop Culture Has Invaded the US”
Author, “Japanamerica: How Japanese Pop Culture Has Invaded the US”
japanamerica.blogspot.com
Makiko Segawa
Journalist
Tomomi Yamaguchi
Associate Professor of Anthropology, Montana State University
Morley Robertson @gjmorley
Journalist
officemorley.jp
officemorley.jp
What do you think? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Published On 24 Oct 2013