Announcer Kana Sato discusses youth marriage survey trends

During an appearance on the Kansai Television program ‘Dot Connect’, former Yomiuri TV announcer Kana Sato commented on a large-scale survey conducted by the Children and Families Agency. The survey, which polled approximately 100,000 people aged 15 to 39, revealed that 35.1% of unmarried youth responded that they ‘have no intention of marrying.’

Sato suggested that many of these responses might be a form of ‘bluffing,’ noting that during her own periods of being single, she often felt the need to convince herself she could live independently. She estimated that roughly half of those surveyed might be expressing such sentiments. The survey also identified anxiety regarding stable income for marriage as the primary hurdle for 40% of respondents.

Additionally, the program discussed shifting marriage preferences. While the ‘Showa era’ criteria for partners focused on high income, height, and education, the ‘Reiwa era’ priorities have shifted toward compatible values, similar financial sensibilities, and stable employment types.