Japan condom makers hope for 2020 Olympic lift

Don't mean this in an offensive way, but they better make some sort of 'international line' that follows international standards for size, or they'll end up with a lot of dissatisfied customers instead.

I once saw a banned Olympic condom commercial, I wonder if they are planning to have a similar demonstration of the condoms they wish to sell!?

I had a very traumatic experience with Japanese condoms many many many years ago, if they are hoping to boost sales they might need to INCREASE the sizes!

As said above, it won't work if they don't increase the size.

And I think there's a problem with lubrication too : last time I used one of those condoms, it was terrible for me and my partner as well.

Just make the things available to the Athletes... no major need to publicize it everywhere.

the friction of at least 100,000 thrusts

I bet they had fun making that translation.

All they need now is the entire AKB and affiliate juggernaut to market the product, Could make for an interesting AKB vote-off in the Olympic year.

And the way they want to stick condoms in all the athletes' faces makes me wonder if encouragement for some new surprise, open Olympic sport which has not been disclosed yet.

Can't think that Messers Yamashita, Hayashi and Negishi ever get bored in their jobs.

Hmm, good journalism today, JT

Interesting how the condom topic always brings a slew of posters talking about how they are too small, when they are something like 2% smaller than Western condoms. It seems that people who frequently comment are all extraordinarily endowed. Brave. Bravo. You are the envy of the diminutive Japanese.

Or it could be something else.

Good to know the athletes will be covered while in Japan!

maybe they should get one of those mascots dressed up as a condom and name him グムくん^_^.

What does a condom has to do with Olympic Games ? It gonna be weight lifting with condoms rite ?

It’s interesting how their sales have dropped since the 2,000’s and they blame an ageing population. The fact is, more young people are sexually active and they are becoming active much younger than twenty years ago. However, due to a lack of sex education and promotional campaigns in schools many young people are not using them at all. There is also the issue of a vailability. Condom vending machines are few and far between. I’m sure everybody has been embarrassed by the young girl at the convenience store when she blushes as you buy condoms. Regardless of unwanted pregnancies, the rates of HIV infection and other STDs are increasing in Japan. This shows that, the drop in sales is not because of an ageing population. It’s because young people are not using them.

What does a condom has to do with Olympic Games ?

Lots. They are bringing thousands of young, healthy, fit people together and having them stay in the same area. That results in LOTS of sex. They handed out 450,000 condoms to athletes at the Rio Olympics alone.

Yeah those ultra thin ones are quite good actually, retains good feeling

Commanteer - i had a chuckle. Condoms can usually stretch big enough to cover someones head, so maybe people are using them wrong? Of course when stretched it may cause a feeling of compression, or tightness... but i always thought that was a desirable trait during coitus?

Condoms have long been Japan's most popular contraceptive method, with birth control pills not even available on the local market until 1999.

That's one big difference with the west (especially continental europe) where young girls tend to get on the pill early. And many ppl (men & women) also prefer withdrawal to condoms.

and to go with the condoms in the Olympic Village, athletes' will be furnished with vibrating beds, see through shower room windows, a full size mirror above the bed, satellite radio and karaoke. If more condoms and gadgets are needed, athletes can call the front desk and they will passed through a small window in a low position where the staff cannot identify the athlete to maintain their utmost privacy.

In retrospect, and what with all the 'roids going around, perhaps the athletes won't need enlarged condoms after all?

Let the Russians bring their own condoms.

I recommend them to double up.

Sex in the Olympic village is always a hot topic. I think the standard pattern is for the athletes to be given a number of free condoms and then moan about how its "one night's supply" or something. Many athletes are rich and/or sponsored, so I say set up some vending machines and make them pay. Its not as if Mo Farah is going to home and talk about the amazing thin condoms he got in interviews. Use the proceeds from the sales at the Special Olympics.

Condoms must be able to resist the friction of at least 100,000 thrusts

You'd need to be an Olympic athlete to manage that.

Many athletes are rich and/or sponsored, so I say set up some vending machines and make them pay.

Olympic athletes don't get paid, even though multiple companies make billions of dollars of the Olympics. The least they can do is provide free condoms.

1.  Mascot of some type (English name - Rubbery)

2.  Idol group who somehow incorporate condoms of various types/colours/flavours into their costumes and act.  song about the joys of rubbering up.

3.  Some kind of Abenomics type stimulus to the industry (exempt them from sales taxI agree that all this "Asian condoms are too small" is a bit tiring.  They are rubber and can stretch to pretty prodigious size.  although I guess if too tight might restrict blood flow.  must say they work fine for me, although whenever I can I get Durex.  The new thin Durex are as good as condoms get (which is not great).

Wakarimasen, bones already suggested a maskot, 'Goomu Kun', above. (Gomu Kun might work too). 'Rubbery' sounds great, though, just like 'lovely' in J. 'Rubbery Kun'?

I guess Sagami staff will be rubbing their hands at the thought of ballooning sales.

As Japanese men are famous for not using condoms this could be mass amounts of money for condom companies in Japan as drunken foreigners struggle to find a condom for the holiday. During the Olympics

The only Japanese condom that fits the average Caucasian is the "Big Boy" brand, and even that's a tight fit. Please make them in larger sizes!

japanese condoms are tiny, badly lubricated and extremely uncomfortable...even the premium ones...

sagami will never be able to rival durex, just give up.

Hopefully they get out on the world stage, Durex condoms are terrible and need to go

My aussie internt buddy got two girls pregnant here using j ones he told me. One was a size issue and other split, a quality issue. I cant verify, but so far everything he emails me is true.

Japanese condoms are really of very high quality, none come close to them. I used to use the Made in Japan Okamoto ones (you can buy them on their web page (Japanese language only a few years ago), they have a huge amount of types, fun discounts and usually offer a lot of freebies with every purchase).

To all those that had size problems, learn how to use one, ffs sake! A condom will fit a horse, fyi. Split condom? Cut your (or your partner's) nails!

Regardless of unwanted pregnancies, the rates of HIV infection and other STDs are increasing in Japan. 

But still Japan has the lowest rate of teen pregnancy in the industrialised world.

Maybe they could get Pikotaro to market them...

I have a condom, I have a pen..

at least 100,000 thrusts

Different (numbers of) strokes for different folks I guess, but I was always led to believe the Japanese rule of thumb was 1,000 for men and 10,000 for women.

I've never purchased condoms in Japan, but I have purchased underwear. I'm about average for a white-dude and found the "package area" snug though the other parts of the sizing were fine. Slightly uncomfortable.

Perhaps it is a cultural difference that I prefer a little more room?

The simple answer is to bring a 20-pak from home. I find that too tight condoms aren't as enjoyable ... in the end.

Demand for condom is dropping in Japan due to increasing percentage of hervivore men, and the demand from Olympic athletes during the Olympics is less than 500K units. So why the ramp up?

The Japanese standard size is too small and I have to ask my friend for send Ansell from Australia. The Japanese Condom Company must make Condom in International standard size and sell at vending machine as well.

As my Japanese friend said, "What athlete would want to be rabbiting away in the middle of the Olympics? Far too tiring!" (Especially in the horrible heat of an already sweaty Japanese summer.)

In fact I can guess that many/most coaches have advised their athletes to refrain, along with smoking, drinking, etc. So where exactly is all this projected action going to take place?