About 40% of Women Have Felt Their Boyfriend Was "Clingy" | The Most Unforgivable "Clingy Behavior" is "Looking Through My Phone Without Permission" at 72% (Happy Mail Survey)

i-BEC Inc. (Headquarters: Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture), which operates the dating and matchmaking app/service "Happy Mail" (https://happymail.co.jp/), with a cumulative membership of 35 million (*1), conducted a survey on "Moments When Women Feel Their Boyfriends Are Clingy" targeting 100 adult women with dating experience.

*1: As of June 2024

This survey aggregated responses on:

● Experiences of feeling their boyfriend was "clingy"

● "Clingy behaviors" considered unforgivable

● Specific moments when they felt their boyfriend was clingy

● Behavioral tendencies that tend to make boyfriends clingy

This release reveals specific behaviors where women feel their boyfriends are "clingy" and the tendencies of words and actions that tend to be burdensome in romantic relationships.

Detailed survey data and charts are available for use as reference material for news and article production on the following page:

▼ Special Survey Results Page

https://happymail.co.jp/happylife/love/clingy-boyfriend/

1. About 40% of Women Have Felt Their Boyfriend Was "Clingy"

When 100 adult women with dating experience were asked, "Have you ever felt your boyfriend was 'clingy'?", 39 people answered "Yes."

While about 60% answered "No," it was found that about 40% of women have experienced feeling "clinginess" in their relationship with their partner.

[Breakdown (Number of people)]

● Yes: 39 people

● No: 61 people

1-1. When Did You Actually Feel "Clingy"? (Open-ended responses)

Next, when asked, "In what situations did you feel your boyfriend was clingy?", the following opinions were received.

[Excerpts from Open-ended Responses]

He tried to look through my phone, pretending it was a joke but actually quite serious.

When he disliked me meeting with other men, even if it was for work-related socializing.

When he got in a bad mood if I made plans on my day off without consulting him.

Looking at the responses, many women seem to feel "clingy" towards behaviors such as "trying to look at my phone," "restricting interaction with the opposite sex," and "controlling my schedule."

It can be inferred that even if the intention is an expression of affection, not giving the other person freedom or acting based on distrust can cause significant stress for the woman.

2. The Most Unforgivable "Clingy Behavior" for Women is "Looking Through My Phone Without Permission" at 72 people

Next, when asked, "What is the clingy behavior of a boyfriend that you find absolutely unforgivable?", "Looking through my phone without permission" was the most frequent response with 72 people.

Following that were "Getting angry if I don't respond immediately" with 53 people, and "Calling late at night or during work" with 50 people.

The results indicate that many women feel strong aversion towards "behaviors that do not respect the other person's privacy or daily rhythm."

In particular, the act of checking a smartphone without permission can easily make one feel "untrusted" or "monitored," and appears to be a significant factor in damaging trust in a romantic relationship.

Furthermore, behaviors such as "demanding immediate responses" and "wanting to be in contact constantly" tended to be perceived as "control" rather than expressions of affection.

[Breakdown (Number of people)]

● Looking through my phone without permission: 72 people

● Getting angry if I don't respond immediately: 53 people

● Calling late at night or during work: 50 people

● Constantly monitoring my social media: 43 people

● Prohibiting contact or going out with male friends: 40 people

● Other: 3 people

3. "Clingy Boyfriends" Tend to Be Cases with Strong "Insecurity" and "Desire for Control"

Looking at the responses received this time, it seems that many "clingy" behaviors stem from "insecurity about losing the other person" and "the desire to always be connected."

However, in an attempt to resolve this insecurity, if actions such as:

● Checking the partner's smartphone

● Restricting social circles

● Forcing replies

● Constantly trying to know their whereabouts

are taken, women tend to feel "untrusted" and "their freedom is being taken away."

In relationships, the key to maintaining a good relationship is not "controlling because I love you," but "whether you can respect your partner."

Survey Results Summary

This survey revealed the following trends:

● About 40% of women have experienced feeling their boyfriend was "clingy."

● The most unforgivable clingy behavior is "looking through my phone without permission."

● "Demanding immediate responses" and "excessive contact" are also burdensome for many women.

● "Control" and "monitoring" are more likely to be perceived as stress than affection.

● "Trust" and "appropriate distance" are valued in relationships.

This survey showed that what is important in a relationship is not "always being connected," but "whether you can trust and respect your partner."

If the desire to care for your partner is too strong, leading to restricting their actions or monitoring them, it can be perceived as "clinginess" rather than affection.

To maintain a good relationship, it seems important to build a comfortable distance for both partners, rather than binding the other person out of insecurity.

Detailed survey data and chart materials are available on the special page below.

They can also be used as reference material for news and article production.

▼ Special Survey Results Page

https://happymail.co.jp/happylife/love/clingy-boyfriend/

[Survey Overview]

Survey Method: Internet survey

Target Audience: Adult women with dating experience

Survey Sample Size: 100 women

Date Conducted: April 30, 2026

Survey Execution Body: Happy Mail (Happy) (https://happymail.co.jp/)

Survey Company: i-BEC Inc.

Related Page: https://happymail.co.jp/happylife/love/clingy-boyfriend/

About Happy Mail (Happy)

Happy Mail (Happy) provides opportunities for encounters as a dating and matchmaking app/matching site.

Based on achievements cultivated over more than 25 years of operation, the service is provided across PCs, smartphones, and apps, adapting to the times.

In 2018, when consulted about wanting to make a romance movie themed around encounters through matching, they became involved in film production for the first time in the matching industry.

In 2019, they appointed Kayo Noro as ambassador and produced the web drama "Happy Mail ~Love Story~" based on the real-life experiences of users actually using Happy Mail, to promote awareness of "romance and marriage" stemming from real encounters through apps and the internet.

In 2024, cumulative membership exceeded 35 million. (As of June 2024)

[Brand Ambassador Appointment History]

2019 Kayo Noro

2020 Kayo Noro

2021 Kayo Noro

2022 Honoka

2023 Honoka

2024 Yukipoyo

2025 Yukipoyo

2026 Yukipoyo

Official Website: https://happymail.co.jp

Comprehensive Page: https://happymail.jp

Supported Devices: Smartphone, PC

Supported Languages: Japanese

Service Area: Japan

Service Start Date: August 2000

Price: Free download

Development and Operation: i-BEC Inc.

App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/jp/app//id521055533?mt=8

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.co.i_bec.suteki_happy&hl=ja

We support all men and women who meet through matching apps! YouTube channel sponsored by Happy Mail "Koilabo": https://www.youtube.com/@koilabo.happymail

Happy Mail Official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjKoGOmdSsroocH3cSiQt1Q

Love and Marriage Trend Information Site Happy Life: https://happymail.co.jp/happylife/