Japan Faces a New Crisis: Fewer Teenagers Are Experiencing Their First Kiss

Some experts suggest this trend may be linked to Japan’s declining birth rate.

Japan's new crisis: Fewer teenagers are experiencing their first kiss
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Japan’s declining birth rate is no surprise. However, the country continues to grapple with how to reverse the trend. Despite measures aimed at preventing the situation from worsening—as seen in South Korea and Taiwan—the birth rate has plummeted to historic lows, with no short-term recovery in sight.

One possible contributing factor? A decline in young people engaging in physical intimacy, such as experiencing their first kiss.

The impact of the “three C’s.” During the COVID-19 pandemic, Japan implemented a public health guideline known as sanmitsu, or the “three C’s,” to limit contact and reduce virus transmission. The government urged people to avoid:

  • Confined spaces.
  • Crowded places.
  • Close-contact environments.

Kissing on the decline. These measures likely influenced social behaviors, particularly among teenagers, leading to reduced opportunities for physical closeness. A 2023 survey conducted by the Japan Association for Sex Education found a notable decrease in the number of high school students who had experienced their first kiss. According to The Guardian, the survey polled 12,500 students aged 15 to 18 about their intimate experiences.

The results revealed that 27.5% of girls had experienced their first kiss. In comparison, 22.8% of boys had done the same. These figures represent significant declines from the association's 2017 survey, which showed 41.1% of girls and 33.9% of boys had kissed. The drop is even starker compared to 2005, when nearly half of all surveyed teenagers reported their first kiss.

Fewer sexual relationships. While the decline in teenage kissing might seem trivial at first glance, it raises questions about the changing dynamics of relationships among Japan’s youth. The survey revealed a decline in sexual activity among teenagers. Only 12% of boys and 14.8% of girls reported having had sex—down by 3.5% and 5.3%, respectively, compared to the previous survey.

More masturbation. While physical intimacy among teens has decreased, other behaviors are on the rise. Masturbation rates increased for both sexes, a trend Yusuke Hayashi, a sociology professor at Musashi University, attributes in part to the pandemic’s impact. “School closures and restrictions on personal contact came at a sensitive time when junior and senior high school students are beginning to become interested in their sexuality,” Hayashi explained.

He also suggested the rise in masturbation could stem from increased exposure to sexual imagery in manga and other media, rather than serving as a direct substitute for interpersonal sexual behavior.

A shift away from physical intimacy. Sociology lecturer Tamaki Kawasaki expressed concern over the findings, suggesting that young Japanese are moving away from physical sexual activity altogether. “Instead, there is a stronger tendency for them to stay home and watch sexual content alone,” he said.

Kawasaki warned of long-term consequences, adding, “If teens who represent the country’s future continue like this, it is hard to see any improvement in the declining birthrate.”

Though Kawasaki’s perspective may seem extreme, it underscores the broader challenges Japan faces with its birth rate and generational transition. Even if young people are delaying their first relationships until after age 18, the current data paints a concerning picture for the future.

Image | Barbara Campagnoli (Unsplash)

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