Tanabata Wishes for "Love/Marriage" Only 2.3% - Wishes for Fading Love Designated as "Endangered Romanticism"

The Japan Romantic Association (Headquarters: Tokyo, Chairman: Katsunori Nabemasa) conducted a survey on "Tanabata Wishes" among 300 men and women nationwide aged 15 to 69, ahead of Tanabata.

Tanabata is famous for the story of Orihime and Hikoboshi, who can only meet once a year across the Milky Way. While one might expect many wishes related to love, the survey found "Health" and "Wishing for Nothing" to be the top responses, with only 2.3% wishing for "Love/Marriage."

In response to these results, the association has decided that the sincere sentiment of writing wishes related to love on Tanabata tanzaku (wish strips) should be protected. Those who "make love wishes on Tanabata" have been designated as "Endangered Romanticism" and will be included in the "Endangered Romanticism Encyclopedia" to be published in the future.

Official Website: https://japan-romance.com/

Survey Result Highlights

"Health" and "Wishing for Nothing" are the top wishes for this year's Tanabata.

2.3% responded "Love/Marriage."

There is a possibility that tanzaku have become a place to "be conscious of being seen by others" rather than a place to "write one's true feelings."

The Japan Romantic Association designates the sincere sentiment of writing love wishes on Tanabata tanzaku as "Endangered Romanticism."

Survey Details

Q1: What kind of wishes will you make this Tanabata?

Health 32.7%

Money/Possessions 18%

Family Safety 10%

Love/Marriage 2.3%

Other 5%

Wishing for Nothing 32%

Q2. Have you ever made a love wish on Tanabata? What kind of love wish did you make?

Yes 21.7%

No 78.3%

*Specific contents of "Yes" (multiple responses): Mutual love (15.3%), Wanting a boyfriend/girlfriend (10%), Marriage (9%), Wanting to get closer to someone I'm interested in (7.7%).

The full survey results are available on the official website of the Japan Romantic Association.

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Comment from the Japan Romantic Association

Tanabata itself is not disappearing. Bamboo and tanzaku are still swaying in many places around town. Health, passing exams, money, supporting idols, family happiness. The wishes written on tanzaku are small surveys reflecting the true feelings of modern people.

However, the heart that writes slightly embarrassing wishes on tanzaku, such as "I hope I can get closer to the person I like" or "I hope I can meet that person," may be becoming less visible.

The Romantic Association wishes to gently protect this small sentiment.

The reading article based on the survey, "Where Have Orihime and Hikoboshi Gone? --Modern People's 'De-Romanticization' Reflected in Tanzaku," is available on the official website of the Japan Romantic Association.

https://japan-romance.com/journal/tanabata-story/

Survey Overview

Survey Name: Survey on Tanabata Wishes

Survey Target: 300 men and women nationwide aged 15 to 69

Survey Method: Internet Survey

Survey Period: June 24, 2026

Survey Sponsor: Japan Romantic Association

When using survey results, please clearly state "Source: Japan Romantic Association."

About the Japan Romantic Association

The Japan Romantic Association is a think tank that re-examines society and conceives the future from the perspective of "romanticism," centered on seven viewpoints: love, adventure, sensuality, reminiscence, blessing, creation, and fantasy.

Official Website: https://japan-romance.com/

Planned and operated by World Eggs Inc.

About the Romantic Research Institute

The "Romantic Research Institute" is a research organization by the Japan Romantic Association (operated by World Eggs Inc.). It investigates and researches the reasons for "heart-pounding" emotions that go beyond rationality, revealing hidden consumer insights. It is a think tank that creates new value for products and services.