Mengzhen, L. and Borsje, T. and Pangburn, D. and Yoshida, K. and Berezina, E. and Benjamin, J. (2025) Romantic Relationships in Japan : A Lens for Social Policy Recommendation. Sexuality and Culture. ISSN 1095-5143
Full text not available from this repository.Abstract
The current trends in mating show a concerning shift, with young people increasingly choosing singlehood over long-term commitment or starting families, which could lead to demographic challenges. However, addressing these problems requires understanding how people define relationships. This study explores the social representations of short-term and long-term romantic relationships to inform social policy. A survey of 112 participants (44.6% male, mean age 23.27) was conducted. As this is a qualitative research study, this sample size is sufficient to provide an exploration of the topic. The findings revealed that: (i) “love” is central to both relationship types, (ii) “sex” is more important in short-term relationships, (iii) short-term relationships emphasize “fun” and “passion,” while long-term ones prioritize “trust,” “marriage,” and “stability,” and (iv) “marriage” is universally valued, but “family” is less significant. Based on these findings, six social policies are proposed to improve relationship education, support diverse dynamics, and address gender disparities and economic stability within long-term relationships.