In 1957 this figure fell to 2.04, and it stayed between 2.0 and 2.2 through 1974. In 1975, however, it dropped to 1.91, and it has been falling ever since. In 1996, last year, this figure was 1.42. Among industrial countries, only Germany and Italy have lower rates than Japan. One big reason for the drop is the changing lifestyles of Japanese women.
More women now attend college, and most go to work after graduation.
The age differential between males and females is narrower, and more women reject the idea that marriage is a woman's road to happiness. I may say that to many young Japanese women, young Japanese men seem less attractive. They seem to be losing their basic social skills. They cannot speak in front of others, for example. Some must even ask their mothers how they should behave on a date.