You want to know the truth about why fewer Japanese are dating, getting married or even splurging on the occasional French dinner for two? We can of course, blame it on the big bad fukeiki (不景気, recession) but that would be a big fat lie.
In theory, the Japanese do understand what love is, the dynamics of the relationship, the whole till-death-do-us-part passion behind the marriage vow. But the simple, nitty-gritty reality is that we're just not romanchikku (ロマンチック, romantic) enough.
Take the case of Mitsue, 37 years old and in her own words, gaikenteki niwa ima ga pīku (外見的には今がピーク, at the peak of my looks) and ready to put away her red Miu Miu heels and settle down. She isn't interested in catching a kareshi (彼氏, boyfriend) anymore, she wants someone to call a kazoku (家族, family).
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