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”

japanamerica.blogspot.com

Makiko Segawa
Journalist

Tomomi Yamaguchi

Associate Professor of Anthropology, Montana State University

Morley Robertson @gjmorley

Journalist
officemorley.jp

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