Japan's Teenagers Experience Decline in First Kisses Amidst Changing Social Norms

According to a recent study, 80% of Japanese teenage boys and more than 25% of girls have never kissed, the lowest recorded rates since 1974. Experts attribute this decline to pandemic-related impacts and highlight broader trends of declining sexual activity among Japanese youth, exacerbating concerns regarding the country's falling birth rate.

Japan's high school students are experiencing a surprising trend: a significant portion of them has never shared a kiss. A recent survey conducted by the Japan Association for Sex Education (JASE) found that approximately four out of five boys aged 15 to 18 reported never having kissed, while just over 25% of their female counterparts can say the same. These disheartening statistics mark the lowest recorded levels of teenage kissing since the surveys began in 1974, raising alarms in a nation grappling with one of the lowest birth rates in the world.

The survey, which sampled over 12,500 students from junior high to university, has been tracking trends in teenage sexual behavior every six years. It revealed that the decline in first kisses is not an isolated phenomenon; there has also been a notable drop in sexual activity. High school boys who reported having sexual intercourse decreased to 12%, a decline of 3.5 points since 2017. Similarly, the figure for high school girls fell to 14.8%, down 5.3 points.

Experts attribute these changes partly to the Covid-19 pandemic. Yusuke Hayashi, a sociology professor at Musashi University, noted that school closures and restrictions on physical contacts occurred during a crucial developmental period for sexual interest among teenagers. These conditions may have led to diminished opportunities for romantic exploration.

Interestingly, despite the decline in kissing and sexual activity, the survey indicates a rise in the number of teenagers admitting to masturbation, which hit record levels across all demographics. This contrast highlights the complex sexual landscape faced by today's youth.

These findings come on the heels of another revelation earlier this year, indicating that nearly half of marriages in Japan are sexless. As the nation grapples with the implications of these sexual behavior trends, concerns grow over its declining birth rate. Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had previously warned that Japan’s low birth rate poses a significant threat to the country's future viability, with projections indicating the population could plummet from 125 million to less than 53 million by the end of the century.

Japan's demographic challenges are compounded by an aging population, with the United Nations estimating that one in ten individuals in the country is now aged 80 or older. In a notable shift in the market, diaper manufacturer Oji Holdings announced it would stop producing baby diapers to focus on adult ones, reflecting society's changing needs.

As Asia collectively confronts declining birth rates, various nations are implementing measures aimed at reversing these trends, prompting discussions on how best to support family growth in a rapidly changing world.