A study suggests a record low number of Japanese teenagers have experienced kissing. A survey was conducted by the Japan Association for Sex Education. High schoolers answered questions on their sexual behaviour. The researchers found that one in five high school boys have kissed. This is the lowest figure since records began in 1974. The number of girls who have kissed is also falling. Just a quarter of Japan's female students have kissed. The numbers for both sexes have been falling since their peak in 2005. Researchers looked at data from 12,562 questionnaires.

There are many reasons why fewer Japanese teenagers are kissing. A big reason is the coronavirus pandemic. The pandemic limited teenagers' contact with other people. This may have lowered sexual activity among school students. Researcher Professor Yusuke Hayashi said there were many school closures and less face-to-face contact during the pandemic. Another reason could be smartphones. More young people are choosing to be with their phones rather than talk to other people. This trend could worsen Japan's already low birth rate.