JAPAN TIMES — Jan 14 — Two sociologists from Japan recently coined the phrase "kon-katsu" (marriage hunting) in a bid to encourage singles to pursue marriage strategically. They hope this results in more marriages, and, ultimately, a reversal in Japan's declining birthrate. Among the 20-to-34 age group in Japan, 69% of men and 57% of women are unmarried. Among singles in the 18-to-34 age bracket, about 90% of both males and females want to tie the knot some day. Last month, Yahoo Japan launched a matchmaking site Yahoo Enmusubi. Membership in Yahoo Enmusubi costs ¥4,800 for men and ¥3,500 for women, and proof of identity is required. The service has seen membership rise to 11,186.
The full article was originally published at Japan Times, but is no longer available.
Mark Brooks: 30 is the new 20. (note to Irena the co-editor of OPW and my better half, who is 30 on Wednesday 🙂 ) So people are getting married older and taking their time to tie the knot. 90% still want to marry, and they have plenty of time. Chances are they will mostly live to 90 with the advances in medicine and gene therapy anyway.