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Explainer | What is a friendship marriage? From pals to platonic partners, Japanese couples embrace unions without romance or sex

  • New cohabitating relationship trend is based on shared interests and values
  • Partners pursue romance outside marriage, can use artificial insemination

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A new relationship trend called “friendship marriage” in which young people embrace union without love or sex has hit Japan. The Post finds out why, and what it is. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock

Increasing numbers of young people in Japan are adopting a new type of marital relationship that requires neither love nor sex, in a trend called “friendship marriage”.

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Around one per cent of Japan’s population of 124 million are possible candidates for the arrangement.

They include asexual individuals, homosexuals, and heterosexuals who are disillusioned with traditional marriage.

The figures come from data collected by Colorus, an agency that claims to be the first and only one in Japan that specialises in friendship marriages.

Since the agency’s inception in March 2015, about 500 members have formed friendship marriage households, and some have raised children.

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The Post finds out more about the trend.

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