35% of young unmarried people in Japan have no wish to get wed

A Children and Families Agency survey showed on Monday that 35% of unmarried young people in Japan have no wish to marry.

According to interim results of the survey, about 15,000 of some 43,500 unmarried people asked about their views on marriage chose that answer, with many respondents hoping to prioritize spending their time on hobbies.

Meanwhile, 9.5% said they want to get married right away, 10.3% within two to three years, and 7.7% within five years.

The survey also asked all unmarried respondents what they prioritize over marriage, allowing multiple answers. More than half chose leisure and hobbies. Other popular answers included health, emotional well-being and stable income.

Conducted online between May and August, with some 100,000 people between the ages of 15 and 39, the survey received valid responses from some 68,000 people.

The agency plans to disclose the final results at the end of the current fiscal year next March. The results will be analyzed to grasp trends by age and region and will be utilized to design policy measures for young people.