The number of men and women remaining single throughout their lifetime is relatively low in Japan but has been increasing in recent years. The number began increasing gradually in the 1970s and 1980s. The reason they say they have not married is because they have not met the person they want to marry yet. They feel they do not have to rush into marriage when they are not sure about their choices of partners.
Young people continue to marry, but many couples delay until they are older.
Other young Japanese choose the single life. A 1983 survey done by the Ministry of Health and Welfare showed the majority of the women expected to get married between the ages of 23 and 25, and men, between the ages of 25 and 28. Some make a conscious decision not to get married legally instead they choose to live together. In Japan, upon marriage, the couple must choose between their family names and officially register themselves as a married couple under the family name of their choice. Following the traditional patrilineal rule, the couple often choose the husband's surname.