Falling in love IS exact science, says professor

It is often said love is not logical. Yet, the study of love, which attempts to objectively and scientifically analyse romance and teach it as an academic subject, has recently become a popular topic in Japan. The hot new field also aims to improve people's communication skills with the opposite sex.

During a "Mate Selection Theories" lecture at Waseda University, Professor Tomonori Morikawa presents detailed strategies for dating. "When you ask someone out, say, for example, 'Which do you prefer, a French restaurant in Nishi-Azabu or Italian in Daikanyama?' If you only give two positive options, it's hard for the person to say no."

He also explains: "The sensation a couple feels when riding a roller coaster together on a date is due to an increase in tension and heart rate, which tend to be misinterpreted as the 'heart thump' caused by love."

Morikawa began giving his love lectures in 2008, and his class continues to attract students. This academic year, about 850 students registered for the course, but only 240 will make it onto his class, which has about 80 per cent female students.

Though Morikawa is an expert in politics, he has taken up the study of love to examine the attraction process between males and females.

He analyses people's criteria for selecting a partner, consulting leading theories from the fields of biology, psychology and economics, all because he is concerned about the low birthrate and today's trend of people staying single throughout their lives.