"Younger Generation Struggles with Matchmaking, Parents Step In Instead"
In Japan, where the low birthrate problem is severe, an event was held where parents of unmarried children gathered to arrange matchmaking on behalf of their children.
On the 2nd (local time), the US CNN reported in an article titled "In Japan, young people find matchmaking difficult, so parents do it instead," that parents are directly involved in their children's dating arrangements.
According to the report, recently a "Omiai (お見合い·matchmaking)" party was held in a conference room at the Chamber of Commerce in Osaka, Japan. About 60 participants paid 14,000 yen (approximately 126,500 KRW) to attend this event organized by a marriage information company parents' association.
The parents who participated showed profile photos of their children and introduced their unmarried children. The youngest child was 28 years old, and the oldest was 51. Their occupations varied, including doctors, nurses, public officials, and secretaries.
CNN stated, "Due to rising living costs, worsening economic outlook, and demanding workplace culture, the number of Japanese people today who want to marry and have children is decreasing," adding, "Parents, shocked by the decreasing likelihood of seeing grandchildren, are stepping in."
An elderly couple in their 80s said, "Our 49-year-old son spends a lot of time at work and has not paid attention to dating." The couple, who wanted grandchildren, reportedly participated after seeing news about the event in the newspaper.
The actual marriage rate resulting from such meetings is about 10%. However, the organizers noted that since some parents do not inform them about the progress of their children's relationships, the actual figure might be higher.
With No Dating or Marriage, Birthrate Hits 'Lowest'
Meanwhile, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced that the number of births in Japan for the first half of this year (January to June) was 371,052 (including foreigners, preliminary figures), a 3.6% decrease compared to the same period last year. The number of marriages also dropped by 7.3% to 246,332 couples during this period.
With the number of births decreasing, and deaths increasing due to aging and the impact of COVID-19, Japan's population declined by 800,000 last year, marking the largest decrease ever recorded.
The Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) stated, "Since the number of marriages, a leading indicator of birth numbers, remains at a record low, it is difficult to expect an increase in births." It further analyzed that the decrease in marriages was mainly due to "reduced encounters between men and women caused by the COVID-19 pandemic."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
