Global Love Report – July 30th, 2025
English summary by Margaret
Partner Agent, a matchmaking agency operated by Tameny Inc., recently conducted a survey of singles in Japan. The survey revealed insights into the experiences and challenges faced by single men and women aged 31 to 59 in their search for a life partner. The survey involved 238 respondents who, when starting their careers, had a strong desire to get married.
This strong desire aligns with findings from an earlier survey in June, which revealed that about 70% of workers aged 30 to 50 wanted to marry when they first entered the workforce. However, despite this clear intention, many remain unmarried. The primary obstacles reported include financial difficulties, lack of time to meet potential partners, and challenges in finding someone compatible.
When exploring how these individuals acted on their desire to marry, the survey found that only 40.3% had actively searched for a partner. The length of this search varied widely; some looked for over three years, others for one to three years, and a smaller portion for just a few months.
Notably, among those who began searching for a partner, nearly 70% stayed committed to the process for more than one year, indicating strong persistence once they started. Conversely, 59.7% of all respondents have never taken active steps to find a partner. This was most common among those aged 50 to 59, where 75% reported never having searched, with the proportion gradually decreasing among younger age groups.
Regarding the methods used, dating websites or apps were the most popular, with 68.6% of those who sought partners using them. Social gatherings like group dates were the methods chosen by 40.7% of those surveyed, while 37.2% chose introductions through friends by 37.2%, and matchmaking events by 31.4%.
Interestingly, traditional introductions by family or relatives have sharply declined to just 10.5%. This shift toward modern, technology-based, and social methods is particularly pronounced among people in their 30s, reflecting a move toward more independent and proactive partner searching.
The results of these efforts varied. About 11.3% of respondents reported no success from their search, while over one-third formed relationships ranging from casual dating to serious partnerships. Notably, the family-introduced method yielded the lowest success rate for serious relationships at 12.5%. Additionally, most participants used nearly three different methods simultaneously, highlighting the importance of a diverse approach when looking for a partner.
Understanding why many remain unmarried, the survey found that 26.6% cited a lack of urgency, and the same percentage pointed to busy schedules limiting their time. Meanwhile, 25% mentioned difficulty finding a suitable partner, and 20.7% were held back by financial concerns.
These practical barriers and shifting priorities often delay active partner searching, even when the desire is strong. Moreover, the recent rise of dating apps means many have yet to begin their search early enough, prolonging their single status.
Looking ahead, many respondents expressed regret at not starting their search sooner. They plan to be more proactive in the future by signing up with matchmaking agencies, attending dating events, or using dating apps. However, some have accepted their current situation, stating they would still choose to remain unmarried, embracing it as a personal life decision.
Originally published by: PR TIMES
