Tokyoite Kiyoshi is 38 years old and is still waiting for luck in love. But when he finds his future life partner, he says he will be willing to handle family duties in the belief that men's and women's roles at home are equal.

"I believe that when you get married, you need to be actively involved in child-rearing. This is something you need to do as a couple," Kiyoshi, who only wanted to be identified by his first name for privacy reasons, said at a recent event in Tokyo aimed at preparing men for their role as dutiful fathers.

Kiyoshi's case is an example of Japanese men who are gradually shifting perspective on marriage and family life, as well as men's struggles to respond to the demands of society.