How mate selection in Japan evolved?



Summary
・Romantic relationships can be a new type of comfort zone and opportunities to enhance their
personality and identity creation for young Japanese adults
・Currently male selection is in the process of transition from arranged marriage to love marriage
・In Semi-arranged marriage process, people still have some limitations about decision-making,
method of finding mate, etc.
・Criteria for male selection reflect cultural/economic background of the countries
・Dating app market is expanding rapidly, which also provide opportunity to find mate.

Feeling and engagement of romantic relationship
Sternberg’s triangular theory of love
●Intimacy: closeness, connectedness, bondedness
●Commitment: feelings that lead a person to remain with someone and move toward shared goals
●Passion: feelings and desires that lead to physical attraction, romance, and sexual consummation
All three components of intimacy, commitment, and passion are emphasized in romantic
relationships(Feuerman, 2022).




Feeling and engagement of romantic relationship
Average of first marriage in Japan
1975: 27 for men and 24.7 for women
2006: 30 for men and 28.2 for women  (Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW), 2006).
29.9% met at their workplaces or through work-related areas;
30.9% met through friends or siblings; and
11.1% met at school (NIPSSR, 2002).

Feeling and engagement of romantic relationship
Romantic relationships can be a new type of comfort zone for young Japanese adults redefining the
boundaries of the “inner” and “outer” self, often replacing or displacing family ties as the
context for displaying a backstage “true self.”
The romantic relationship thus represents a transitional life stage for heterosexual Japanese young
people(Farrer, Tsuchiya, & Bagrowicz, 2008)

69%
Arranged marriage In 1940


Arranged marriage ”Omiai”



Arranged marriage to Love marriage
Arranged marriage
Semi-arranged marriage
Love marriage

Arranged marriage to Love marriage
Tsutsui, J. (2013). The transitional phase of mate selection in East Asian countries. International
Sociology, 28(3), 257–276. https://doi.org/10.1177/0268580913484775

Arranged marriage to Love marriage
Tsutsui, J. (2013). The transitional phase of mate selection in East Asian countries. International
Sociology, 28(3), 257–276. https://doi.org/10.1177/0268580913484775

Three most important criteria for mate selection
1
High moral standards
Love
Work ability
2
Emotional compatibility
Financial stability
Love
3
Common interests
Personal traits
Financial stability
(7: Love)

Criteria for mate selection
Mate selection criteria changes over time based on changes in the cultural environment.
Male selection is not only individual process, but it reflects some cultural process(Yu, 1993).

Potentials of dating app



Potentials of dating app
Distribution of dating app in Japan
Just for fun
Serious to
marriage

References