Mar 08, 2026 (Japanese Comedian Meshida) - Right now in Japan, more women say they do not want to get married. In 1980, the unmarried rate for women was about 4%, meaning most women eventually married. Today it is about 23%, or roughly one in four women.
Many single women say they do not want to marry. But if a man appeared who was handsome, had a high income, was kind, and was willing to help with housework and childcare—the so-called ideal man—they would probably say, "Actually, I do want to get married." In other words, they do have a desire to marry. The problem is that they cannot find a suitable partner. It is not that they do not want marriage; they simply do not want to compromise.
In Japan, a survey that circulated on social media found that 72% of women said they would rather remain single than marry a "weak man" or someone they see as having lower status than themselves. Interestingly, Japan is often described as male-dominated, yet the language used can be revealing: a low-income single woman is simply called a woman, while a low-income single man is often labeled a "weak man."
In the past, opportunities to meet potential partners were limited, so people nearby often seemed more appealing. After marriage, many couples realized the attraction had been based on a misunderstanding. Today, however, dating apps provide far more opportunities to meet people, allowing users to compare many potential partners. As a result, more people think the next person might be better, leading more women to say, "I don't want to get married if I have to compromise."
Source: Japanese Comedian Meshida
