From Buddies to Bonded_ Japan's Platonic Marriages

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 In a land where the cherry blossoms bloom and ninjas sneak around (probably), young people in Japan are now adopting a new type of marital relationship that requires neither love nor, ahem, any nighttime gymnastics. This trend, known as "friendship marriage," is making waves across the country. Imagine the shock on Grandma’s face at the wedding when she finds out the couple is more into board games than bedroom antics! A whopping one percent of Japan's 124 million strong population is hopping on this bandwagon. This includes asexual individuals, homosexuals, and heterosexuals who’ve had enough of the traditional "till death do us part" script. They’re ditching the mushy stuff for a more practical approach, like finding a roommate with a legally binding contract. "Honey, did you take out the trash?" just got a whole new vibe. According to Colorus, the self-proclaimed matchmaker for these platonic pairings, about 500 friendship marriage households have been established since its inception in March 2015. Some of these households have even raised children. Talk about taking “it takes a village” to a whole new level. What is it? Friendship marriage is basically "a cohabitating relationship based on shared interests and values." Think of it as marrying your trivia night buddy rather than your high school crush. The partners are legally spouses but without the mushy love letters or the awkward “who moves left” dance moves in bed. Couples might live together, or they might not. It’s like a “Choose Your Own Adventure” book, but with more paperwork. And if they decide to have children? Well, they might just call in the help of modern science with artificial insemination. Who needs candlelit dinners when you hav