Never been kissed - Japan's teen boys losing out on love

In Japan, a recent survey has revealed that many teenage boys are struggling with love and relationships. The survey, conducted by the Japan Association for Sex Education, found that four out of five boys aged 15 to 18 have not yet experienced their first kiss. This is quite surprising, as in many cultures around the world, having a first kiss is considered a significant milestone in a teenager's life. The situation is not much better for girls either, as only about one in four female high school students reported having had their first kiss. These statistics represent the lowest figures recorded since Japan began tracking teenagers' sexual habits in 1974, raising concerns in a country that already faces one of the lowest birth rates globally. The survey included responses from over 12,500 students across junior high schools, high schools, and universities, asking them about various topics related to romantic and sexual experiences. This survey is conducted every six years, and it has shown a steady decline in the number of first kisses since 2005, when approximately half of the teenagers reported having kissed someone. The latest report indicates that kissing is not the only area where numbers have decreased; there has also been a notable drop in the number of Japanese youth engaging in sexual intercourse. According to the study, the percentage of high school boys who reported having had sexual intercourse fell by 3. 5 points since 2017, now standing at 12%. For high school girls, the figure declined by 5. 3 points to 14. 8%. Experts suggest that the Covid pandemic may have played a significant role in this decline. The pandemic led to school closures and restrictions on physical contact, which likely affected many students during a crucial time when they were beginning to explore their interest in sexuality. Yusuke Hayashi, a sociology professor at Musashi University, noted that this period was particularly sensitive for these young individuals. Interestingly, the survey did reveal one area of increase: the number of teenagers admitting to masturbation has reached record high levels across all demographics. This finding suggests that while many teenagers may not be engaging in kissing or sexual intercourse, they are still exploring their own bodies in other ways. The results of this survey come at a time when Japan is grappling with its declining birth rate, which has raised alarms among policymakers. Earlier this year, the former prime minister warned that the population could face a significant decline in the coming years. Some researchers have predicted that Japan's population, currently around 125 million, could drop to less than 53 million by the end of the century. Several factors contribute to this worrying trend, including rising living costs, an increasing number of women pursuing education and careers, and greater access to contraception, which allows women to choose to have fewer children. Japan already has the oldest population in the world, with a significant proportion of its citizens aged 65 or older. In late 2023, Japan reported that, for the first time, the number of elderly individuals surpassed the number of children. This demographic shift poses serious challenges for the country. In March, Oji Holdings, a company known for producing diapers, announced that it would shift its focus to manufacturing adult diapers instead of baby diapers, reflecting the changing needs of the population.