SEX
IN DEPTH When freaky-deaky equals hara-kiri
By William Sparrow
BANGKOK - The Japanese population is believed to have peaked at about 127.5
million in 2005. Since then the figure has declined, with some estimates
suggesting the population could shrink to 105 million by 2050. The drop is
feared to have negative impacts on the nation's labor force and grave social
and economic consequences. Recent reports seem to indicate that the sexual
proclivities of Japanese men are contributing adversely to the situation.
More and more men, reports maintain, are turning to masturbation and sex toys
rather than to their female counterparts. And further exacerbating an already
declining birthrate of 1.29 children per women found in a 2004 survey by The
Daily Yomiuri, is the fact
that some men are increasingly turning
their backs on sex.
"Sex is just way too much trouble," a 35-year-old Japanese man told Shukan
Asahi this week, adding that ever since he used masturbation as a teenager,
he's never desired a woman again. "As long as I have a sex toy available, I
don't need women. I can't come when I have sex, and you've got to put a lot of
emotion into dealing with women. Self-pleasure is a hell of a lot less
demanding than trying to please somebody else."
Pornography, masturbation aids, Internet porn sites and social networks that
lead to "virtual relationships", soaplands and Japan's widespread prostitution
industry all allow men outlets for sexual fulfillment while not fulfilling
other needs, such as procreation. The alarming trend has led medical experts in
Japan to coin a new term for a condition they call "vaginal ejaculation
dysfunctional disorder".
"There has been a definite increase in the number of men showing signs of
vaginal ejaculation dysfunction disorder, which includes such afflictions as
premature and delayed ejaculation. There are physical reasons believed to be
behind this, including prejudice against women, past trauma and overuse of
masturbatory aids so that a vagina is unable to provide sufficient
stimulation," Dr Tsuneo Akaeda, head of the Akaeda Clinic in Tokyo's Roppongi
entertainment district, told Shukan Asahi.
"Some of the masturbation aids coming out nowadays are absolutely incredible.
Guys become used to using these and there is no doubt that many men are unable
to obtain the necessary satisfaction from a female vagina that they need to
ejaculate."
Meanwhile, Japan is quickly becoming the world's oldest population. By 2025,
27.3%, or 33.2 million people, will be aged over 60, a study titled "The
Illusion of Immigration Control" found.
Low birth rate coupled with the aforementioned sexual dysfunctions make the
problems that Japan faces immediate and daunting.
"With Japan's labor force expected to decrease by 10% in the next 25 years, the
economic outlook is far from bright. In all likelihood, the domestic market
will shrink, production will fall, the government's revenue base will contract
inexorably and it will struggle to meet welfare and medical payments for an
increasing number of elderly as the dependency ratio (the number of workers
supporting the elderly) will shift dramatically. In 1950, one elderly person
was supported by 12 members of the working population, by 1990 it was 5.5
workers, and by 2020 it is estimated to be 2.3 workers. Naturally, the
government is concerned about such a scenario," Julian Chapple wrote in a 2005
study titled "The Dilemma Posed by Japan's Population Decline".
The government has put forward a number of proposals to reverse the trend.
These have included the "Plus 1" (indicating the increase the government hopes
to see to the birthrate), softening of immigration laws, child care
initiatives, subsidies to parents for medical care and child care and working
with Japanese employers to allow more "flex" time for parents. While the
government has given the situation the appropriate attention, so far most of
the initiatives have made little change and failed to stem the decline.
Japan, like many societies, can at times struggle with open communication and
education about sex. So, perhaps the answer is being overlooked: encourage more
sex between partners and husbands and wives through better communication and
education.
William Sparrow has been an occasional
contributor to Asia Times Online and now joins Asia Times Online with a weekly
column. Sparrow is editor in chief of
Asian Sex Gazette and
has reported on sex in Asia for over five years. To contact him send question
or comments to Letters@atimes.com.
Head
Office: Unit B, 16/F, Li Dong Building, No. 9 Li Yuen Street East,
Central, Hong Kong Thailand Bureau:
11/13 Petchkasem Road, Hua Hin, Prachuab Kirikhan, Thailand 77110
