Marriage is an important part of many cultures, including Japanese culture. It is therefore important to know the age at which people marry in Japan to gain a better understanding of the nation and its social and economic conditions. This blog looks at the current average marriage age at which people in japan get married, the reasons behind it, and how it compares to other nations.
National law determines the legal age of marriage in Japan. Previously, the age of consent for marriage was 18 for men and 16 for women. However, a recent amendment to the Constitution, which came into effect in April 2022, raised the legal age limit for both sexes to 18 years old. The changes aim to promote gender equality and align with global norms. If the person is under 20, parental consent is required because 20 is the age of majority in Japan. This change in the legal system is a continuation of Japan's ongoing policy of modernization and gender equality.
In recent decades, Japan's marriage age has steadily increased. According to the latest statistics, the average age of a groom is 31 and that of a bride is 29. Socio-economic and educational factors are responsible for Japan's rising average age. But, in the case of services provided by the Transpacific Marriage Agency (TMA), the average age of marriage ranges from 35-36 for women to non-Japanese men, and 40-41 for men. The youngest Japanese woman was 28, and the oldest was 61, with men ranging from 36-68.
Read People Thoughts: What is the approximate average age of marriage in Japan?
The phenomenon of delayed marriage is not unique to Japan; it is present in many developed countries. Despite this, it's crucial to acknowledge that certain aspects of Japan's culture influence this trend. Over time, cultural expectations in marriages and raising families have changed, resulting in new changes in when and how people choose to get married.
This is because the average marriage age in Japan is relatively higher than the rest of the world. For example, in the United States, the average age of marriage is slightly higher, with men marrying at approximately 30 years and women marrying at approximately 28 years. In European countries, the trend differs, but a majority of countries have similar trends in the age at which people are getting married.
This trend has numerous implications when viewed in this context. Postponing marriage can be advantageous, as individuals tend to experience greater happiness in their marriages due to their increased responsibility and better employment. It has also had an impact on Japan's decreasing birth rate and increasing elderly population, with the latter affecting the country's future demographics and economy.
Marriage age in Japan reflects the country's social and economic transition. The statistics reveal that the average age for marriage in Japan has reached 31 for men and 29 for women, which can be explained by the enhanced values of education, career, and financial security for the younger generation in Japan. These patterns are beneficial in gaining insight into the changes occurring in Japanese society and show the processes of the restoration of harmony between the classical and the contemporary. It is clear that these changes will continue occurring in Japan, and thus the Japan age of marriage is going to remain one of the key points to its sociological development.