Japan's first non-married people are starting to regret it

A recent study by the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research has revealed a staggering increase in the number of unmarried individuals aged 50 and above. By 2020, it is estimated that 32.4% of men and 28.3% of women will remain unmarried at this age. This trend can be traced back to the collapse of Japan's bubble economy in the 1980s and 1990s, when people's willingness to get married plummeted. However, a new form of marriage has emerged in Japan: friendship marriages or contract marriages, where couples live together without sexual activity or the intention of having children.

In light of this study, Weibo netizens have shared their thoughts on marriage and its impact on their lives. Some posters expressed regret over not getting married earlier, while others suggested that they may regret most of their life if they do get married. One commenter even joked about the rarity of interviewing men for marriage-related articles, claiming that such interviews are usually limited to women.

One respondent shared a personal anecdote, stating that they regretted not having a free labor force to take care of themselves in their old age, as they had prioritized being dashing and unburdened during their youth. Another commenter mentioned the Japanese trend of loneliness and isolation among elderly individuals who never married or had children, suggesting that people should be more cautious about their choices to avoid such outcomes.

Some netizens took a philosophical approach, urging others not to focus too much on material wealth but rather enjoy the present moment. One post read, "Life is short; life will always have all kinds of trouble. You can't resolve all problems. Struggle to enjoy your own gorgeous time well."

In contrast, other users expressed their happiness in choosing not to get married or have children, with some suggesting that they were enjoying the freedom and independence that came with such choices. One commenter even joked about being "Chinese steel" and refusing to regret anything from their youth.

However, a minority of respondents pointed out that life circumstances often differ greatly