Survey on Mutual Crushes: 65.00% of Men and Women Report Having Experienced It; 53.85% Started Dating, with 'Taking the First Step' as the Key Trigger (Happymail Survey)

Happymail (Happy), a dating and matchmaking app and service operated by Aibec Inc. (Headquarters: Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture) with over 35 million cumulative users (※1), conducted a survey targeting 200 adult men and women on the topic of "mutual crushes."

※1: As of June 2024

This survey collected and analyzed responses on:

● Experience of mutual crushes

● Difficulty in determining whether feelings are mutual

● Reasons for feeling mutual attraction

● Triggers that led to relationship progression

Based on the responses from 200 adult men and women, this press release reveals the realities of mutual crushes, their signs, and the factors that lead to romantic relationships.

Detailed survey data and visual materials are available on the dedicated webpage below for use in media reporting and article creation.

▼ Survey Results Special Page

https://happymail.co.jp/happylife/unrequited-love/mutual-crush/

1. 65.00% of Adults Have Experienced Mutual Crushes (Total: 200 Adults)

When asked, "Have you ever felt that your feelings were mutual?", 63 men and 67 women responded "Yes."

In total, 130 people (65.00%) reported having experienced mutual crushes, indicating that this is a common romantic experience.

【Breakdown (Number / Percentage)】

● Men

〇 Yes: 63 people (63.00%)

〇 No: 37 people (37.00%)

● Women

〇 Yes: 67 people (67.00%)

〇 No: 33 people (33.00%)

2. 77.50% Find It Difficult to Judge Mutual Feelings (Total: 200 Adults)

When asked, "Do you find it difficult to determine whether feelings are mutual?", 81 men and 74 women answered "Very difficult" or "Somewhat difficult."

In total, 155 people (77.50%) found it difficult, suggesting that many lack confidence in interpreting the other person's feelings.

【Breakdown (Number / Percentage)】

● Men

〇 Very difficult: 37 people (37.00%)

〇 Somewhat difficult: 44 people (44.00%)

〇 Not very difficult: 19 people (19.00%)

● Women

〇 Very difficult: 30 people (30.00%)

〇 Somewhat difficult: 44 people (44.00%)

〇 Not very difficult: 25 people (25.00%)

〇 Not difficult at all: 1 person (1.00%)

3. Most Common Reason for Feeling Mutual Crush: "Exchanging LINE Messages Daily" (130 Respondents / Multiple Answers)

When asked why they felt mutual attraction, 60 respondents cited "exchanging LINE messages daily" as the top reason.

This was followed by "wanting to meet alone" (57 people) and "frequently making eye contact" (54 people).

These results suggest that consistent contact through daily communication, opportunities to meet one-on-one, and eye contact are easily recognized as signs of mutual crush.

【Breakdown (Number)】

● Exchanging LINE messages daily: 60 people

● Wanting to meet alone: 57 people

● Frequently making eye contact: 54 people

● Giving or receiving special treatment: 52 people

● Able to have deep conversations: 42 people

● Noticing the other person is often nearby: 35 people

● Playfully complimenting each other's good qualities: 31 people

● Being seen as a couple by others: 24 people

● Showing discomfort when the other mentions someone of the opposite sex: 17 people

4. 53.85% Started Dating After Mutual Crush (130 Respondents)

When asked what happened afterward, 34 men and 36 women who had experienced mutual crush said they "started dating."

In total, 70 people (53.85%) began a romantic relationship, showing that over half of mutual crush experiences led to dating.

On the other hand, 60 people (46.15%) said "nothing progressed," indicating that even with mutual feelings, lack of action can prevent relationship development.

【Breakdown (Number / Percentage)】

● Men

〇 Started dating: 34 people (53.97%)

〇 No progress: 29 people (46.03%)

● Women

〇 Started dating: 36 people (53.73%)

〇 No progress: 31 people (46.27%)

5. How Relationships Progressed After Mutual Crush (Open-Ended Responses)

When those who started dating after mutual crush were asked about the trigger, many cited actions such as "asking the person out," "showing affection," and "confessing."

Below are the three main triggers for relationship progression.

5-1. Asking the Person Out on a Date

【Selected Open-Ended Responses】

"We went on several dates, gradually deepening our relationship." (Male)

"We started inviting each other out, leading to daily communication." (Male)

"Date plans came together quickly, and we started dating." (Female)

Survey results show many respondents naturally progressed through repeated dates.

Spending more time together helps build closeness and facilitates the transition to a romantic relationship.

5-2. Naturally Expressing Affection

【Selected Open-Ended Responses】

"I gradually increased special treatment when we met." (Male)

"When I was sick, they cared for me, deepening our bond." (Male)

"Confident it was mutual, I held their hand and called them myself." (Female)

Expressing affection through actions also serves as a trigger.

Natural gestures like special treatment and care in daily life make it easier for the other person to take action.

5-3. Confessing First

【Selected Open-Ended Responses】

"I gathered courage and confessed." (Male)

"Through deep conversations, we confessed to each other and started dating." (Female)

"While drunk, I said, 'Want to try dating?' and it started." (Female)

Confession is a reliable way to progress from mutual crush to dating.

Even in ambiguous relationships, expressing one's feelings first often leads to dating.

Summary of Survey Results

The survey revealed the following:

● 65.00% of adults have experienced mutual crushes

● 77.50% find it difficult to judge mutual feelings

● The top reason for feeling mutual crush is "exchanging LINE messages daily"

● 53.85% started dating with the person they had mutual feelings for

● 46.15% saw no progress

● Taking initiative—such as going on dates, showing affection, or confessing—is key to progressing the relationship

Detailed data and charts from this survey are available on the dedicated page below.

For use in media reporting and article creation