Have you heard about the lack of interest in sex in Japan? This leads to various problems such as low birth rates, social isolation, and others. In this article, we will analyze in detail why the Japanese have lost interest in sex.
Studies suggest that Japan is shifting towards a sexless society. Life in Japan has changed drastically since the 1990s, and a small but growing segment of society seems to be struggling to find happiness in relationships.
A large percentage of the population is now choosing to let sex fade into oblivion. Japanese youth culture is changing, and more and more young people are simply opting to forgo the physical aspects of intimacy.
In 2010, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan found that 36% of Japanese aged 16 to 19 had no interest in sex. This number doubled over two years. What reasons make the Japanese lose interest in sex?
Table of Contents
Celibacy Syndrome
The lack of interest in sex is known as sekkusu shinai shokogun [セックスしない症候群] or “celibacy syndrome.” Research indicates that more than 50% of the population has gone without sex for up to a month.
Even married Japanese claim that they do not have much sex most of the time because they come home tired from work or simply have no interest.
Another term used for Japanese who do not have sex is soushoku danshi [草食男子] which literally means “grass-eating men” or “herbivores.” These men are usually heterosexual and describe themselves as sensitive and generally uninterested in sex.
No interest in relationships
The Japanese have not lost interest in sex; the adult entertainment industry in Japan is huge and active. The big problem is that many Japanese have never dated or are even virgins.
Despite the lack of relationships, interest in sex is common among young people. Many suffer from shyness or social isolation but end up engaging with erotic media, sexual pleasure objects, or even prostitution.
In reality, prostitution is not hard to access in Japan, and it is even possible to engage for free. For many Japanese, a virtual girlfriend or a 2D character is less work than a real relationship.
Many Japanese end up finding other ways to achieve sexual pleasure without needing the opposite sex. Some young people prefer to relate to anime characters and games rather than real people.
Others truly desire to have a real relationship, but they make no effort to achieve it.
Why the lack of interest?
Several factors make it difficult for the Japanese to find a partner or get married, such as:
- Social Isolation;
- Lack of contact;
- Shyness;
- Excessive work;
- Perfectionism;
- Lack of interest;
- Other ways to achieve sexual pleasure;
- They think dating is too much work;
What do you think about analyzing each of the points mentioned?
Lack of relationships due to shyness
Shyness in Japan is one of the main visible causes that prevent young Japanese from relating. If you live in Brazil and know shy people, you can imagine the difficulties they face; I am one of those people.
In Brazil, this is simpler because we are surrounded by people who interact without any shame; now imagine a scenario where most people are shy? If no one takes the initiative, they end up alone.
The shyness is so great that even the perverts in Japan are arrested not for rape but for stealing panties or doing other things that do not involve sex between two people.
Lack of sex due to work
Since the mid-1990s, Japan’s economy has stagnated and prices have risen. This has made it increasingly difficult for young people to leave home and have their own lives. They need to work to support their luxuries and pay for a cubicle.
Even some couples end up going months without having sexual relations, especially after the first child. Some claim they work too much and come home tired.
Is this really the true reason? Most of the time, people waste their time on the computer, cell phone, or drinking at a bar instead of keeping company with their spouse.
Women generally have to choose between a career and a family. According to some statistics, about 70% of Japanese women are essentially forced to stop working after their first child.
Other reasons
Unfortunately, many marriages in Japan happen not out of love but for status and the desire to stabilize. It is not as significant as in other countries, but there are cases of infidelity in marriage; sometimes both parties are aware of the affairs but do not care.
Some even do not consider it cheating to find sexual pleasure outside of marriage; some see sex merely as a way to obtain pleasure and not love. Others simply think that the commitment of a relationship is a great burden.
Some experts suggest that macho attitudes in the male population have also caused the lack of sex. Men have begun to explore other lifestyles since they cannot stand or cannot find a partner.
Do you know the old cliché about virgin nerds? Studies suggest that well-educated people tend to have less sex than their less educated peers. Considering that Japan has one of the best education systems in the world, it makes sense…
Is low birth rate really due to lack of sex?
The fact that Japanese people do not have many children does not mean that they do not have sex. This is a result of a capitalist and intelligent society, as it is very common to see financially unstable people having 10 children in Brazil while the wealthy have only 1, 2, or none.
If a person is intelligent, they will not have children without the means to raise them; many Japanese couples think about this. In fact, only 2% of children born in Japan are born before marriage.
The purchasing power of the Japanese is high, but raising a child in Japan is still difficult, even with financial assistance from the government. Sometimes both the man and the woman work and do not want to have a child to avoid loneliness. There are various cultural aspects that contribute to couples not having children:
- Work hours;
- Couple’s decision;
- Requires a lot of dedication;
- Financial conditions;
Another major culprit for the low birth rate in Japan is abortion. Although abortion is prohibited for any reason in Japan, doctors often turn a blind eye and perform the procedure. I have already written 2 articles discussing abortion and birth rates in Japan; you can read them by accessing the links below:
- Curiosities about Abortion in Japan
- Birth Rate in Japan – How many children do the Japanese usually have?
Fewer Generalizations
We should not imagine that in Japan people have no interest in sex or having children. We notice that the main cause of the birth rate is far beyond the lack of sex.
Not to mention that these surveys are never exact; they tend to be conducted in large cities with a small number of people, where people work a lot, and the Japanese interviewed may not tell the truth about the subject.
The increase in lack of sex and singles may be expanding beyond Japan. The 2013 Census Bureau report indicates that 27% of American households are single. The United States is also becoming increasingly apathetic when it comes to sex;
More and more Americans are reporting that they simply do not have the time, energy, or general inclination to have relationships. This sentiment is reflected in the declining marriage rate in America, which is the lowest in the country’s history.
Most of the time, couples do not end up having sex in Japan due to a lack of interest from both sides; there is no need to be scared or afraid of relating to someone from Japan. If you want to, you can go for it!
It’s not that the Japanese have no interest in sex; most just haven’t been able to find the right person. If you have experience in relationships or know cases about this subject, feel free to share your opinion in the comments.
Sources: Ranker
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