60% of single Japanese women do not feel relaxed enough to think about entering a romantic relationship, Japan Times reports.
1 in 4 have reportedly fallen asleep on dates, and many feel that romance is “overrated, strenuous and, ultimately, unsatisfying.”
Many, however, still desire marriage and long-term romantic stability. 80% of Japanese women reported wanting to settle down with a husband.
Childbirth is often a motivator for Japanese women seeing relationships, and many turn to matchmaking services to try and find long term partners to that end.
Statistics for the male population are somewhat inverted – 60% of men were not interested in marriage, but 80% wanted a girlfriend.
For these men, marriage seems to “involve complications and baggage they aren’t ready to take on. Marriage would also cramp their style and eat into precious disposable income”.
The article suggests that Japanese workplace culture is behind the lack of female interest, with a ‘forbidding atmosphere’ getting in the way.
Shorter working hours and better legislation around maternity and paternity leave would both help to encourage more romance among the female demographic.
Read more here.