More Japanese youngsters abstaining from sex

TOKYO: Nearly half of Japanese people are entering their 30s without any sexual experience, according to new research.

Japan is facing a steep population decline as a growing number of youngsters abstain from sex and avoid romantic relationships.

Some men claimed they “find women scary” as a poll found that 43% of people aged 18 to 34 from the island nation say they are vir- gins. One woman, when asked why she thinks 64% of people in the same age group are not in relationships, said she thought men “cannot be bothered” to ask the opposite sex on dates because it was easier to watch internet porn.

The number of births dropped below one million for the first time last year, according to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

The National Institute of Popu- lation and Social Security Research predicts that the current population of 127 million will decline by nearly 40 million by 2065.

A nationwide survey earlier this year revealed that nearly a quarter of Japanese men at the age of 50 are yet to marry.

The report, from the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research, also found one in seven Japanese women aged 50 were yet to be married.

The shrinking population – deaths have outpaced births for several years – is already affecting the job and housing markets, consumer spending and long-term investment plans at businesses.

Other countries including the US, China, Denmark and Singapore have low fertility rates, but Japan’s is thought to be the worst. – The Independent