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40% of young Japanese single adults are virgins: poll

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It found that 42% of men and 44% of women had never had sex.

There's a cure for that.

9 ( +12 / -3 )

Quite funny. But the statistic seems ridiculously high. Would someone so shy really be answering a survey about their private life?

5 ( +10 / -5 )

@thepersoniamnow I'm guessing even a shy guy or gal can overcome bashfulness when answering a survey online.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

There you have your "dating simulator" video games at work.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Okay, so Germany has much lower "sexlessness" compare to Japan, yet Germany has about the same birthrate as Japan. Isn't it common knowledge that "sex" has anything to do with the desire of people to have children ? Or are people still thinking about a time when contraceptive devices weren't invented yet ?

9 ( +10 / -1 )

The 2015 survey also found that seven-in-10 men were not in a relationship, while nearly six in 10 women were going to bed alone.

Intended or not, this is a sexist remark. And just because someone is not in a relationship does not necessarily mean there is no sex, for either men or women.

I'm guessing even a shy guy or gal can overcome bashfulness when answering a survey online.

Why do you assume online? My sons and daughter, over the years, the most recent one being about two months ago, if I recall correctly, surveys from various government agencies here, and they ALL came in the mail, and they all had self-address stamped, return envelopes included in them, to return the survey.

What is unknown is the demographics of the survey, and how it was conducted.

“They want to tie the knot eventually,” he told the Japan Times. “But they tend to put it off as they have gaps between their ideals and the reality,”

A huge part of the blame for this should be placed on the media and education process. Media for the obvious reasons and education for not teaching young boys and girls how to communicate, lack of teaching about self-confidence, and a variety of other needed life skills.

-6 ( +5 / -11 )

While it's quite likely that 40% of young Japanese adults have not experienced sex with a partner, I seriously doubt they are all 'virgins' in the true sense of the word.

5 ( +10 / -5 )

I highly doubt that figure!

7 ( +10 / -3 )

Really, what does it matter if people are doing it or not. Not anyones business if someone is or is not a virgin. Just because people are not into casual relationships is absolutely not a bad thing or really newsworthy.

13 ( +18 / -5 )

You know what they say... めんどくさい (troublesome) but this survey is a surprise: why are there so many prostitutes, clubs, online dates? They make the fortune of Yakuza and related groups.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

There you have your "dating simulator" video games at work.

They took "game over" too literally.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

It is truely a sign of how demented our world / society has become when this is written as if there is something WRONG with this concept.

10 ( +16 / -6 )

Unlike many posters am not that surprised by that figure tbh. Most J ppl I have met in my life either in Japan or abroad told me some of their friends, mostly women, were still virgin and they were in their late 20s early 30s. Considering it's not something all J ppl share with their friends, even close ones, its fair to say many girls/guys who 'never talk about that' may also have been virgin.

The way I see it is that Japan is a country where a small % are ' promiscuous to very promiscuous' (the ones many gaijins hook up with perhaps?) yet a substantial number have either no sex or less than 3 perhaps 5 partners in their lifetime sometimes after 25-28yo. That's my experience of Japan, Japanese ppl and other Asian countries anyway.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Answers to survey questions about sex are highly suspect. There is no way to verify the answers and as @kibousha points out Germany (and I would add Italy) has the same fertility rate as Japan so you cannot the low fertility rate to the alleged lack of sexual activity on the part of Japanese.

One obvious problem with the stats is the 18-34 age range. Since other surveys claim that the average age for first sex in Japan is 20+, if you shift the age range to 25-34 you get a very different picture.

Also, 10% of the Japanese singles claim to be cohabitating and should not be included in the total population of singles for calculating percents on this point.

a study carried out that year in Europe by condom maker Durex found virginity rates among those aged 15-20 were much lower.

Could well be. Some surveys claim that the average age for first experience in China is 22. Generally it seems the first experience age in Asian countries is two or three years later than Europe. Big deal.

The Durex thing is not really a "study" in an academic sense. It's more of an advertising promotion thing. I don't know how they are doing it now but when it first started getting attention, you had to go to their web site to take the survey. In other words it only covered people who were interested in reporting about their sexual activities.

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

There's work to be done boys! OK just kidding, I'm married.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

I can explain this problem easily for the types that remain virgins:

Age 15-18, dating prohibited by many high schools, kids attend their "bukkatsu" clubs almost every day, and go to "juku" until late at night preparing to get into a good college, and assume they'll date in college

Age 18-22, college students almost exclusively go on group dates, and never get their partner alone. those students usually live with their families anyway, and wouldn't dream of "doing it" at home. Lots of these kids travel 1-2 hours to college each direction, live nowhere near their classmates, and go out once a month if they're lucky

Age 22-35, new employees work extremely late, catch the last train home, and hope that somehow they'll meet their future relationship at a work party, or have a colleague hook them up. When you still live with your parents or in the company dorm, there is no where to take your partner privately, and the average new grad pay barely covers the cost of living and a vacation once a year

12 ( +13 / -1 )

Thats because of difference between Reality and Virtual Reality. I met so many girls in Tokyo and 80% of them were ready to do everything for you but in return they want Social Security and financial stability. No one dare to own responsibilities and there start problem. While Akihabara and Shinjuku flooded with shops selling silicon boob and automated masturbaters, guys who didn't get chance, live with it.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

time to give up teaching Engrish and start sex education classes.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

they have gaps between their ideals and the reality.

This is an understatement, but at least it was stated.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I am assuming after reading this article that there are a lot of people in Japan that think like Bill Clinton.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I think it has a lot to do with shame and economics. The genders are often separated to an extent in schools. Maintaining a good reputation is paramount to all Japanese, particularly women. If a woman has a bad rep or even sometimes, not a virgin, some may find it hard to get married. As for the men, there's a huge amount of pressure on them to provide for a family as the nostalgic dream of married life is still alive and well in many minds of Japanese women: A house, car, 1-2 kids, juku, sports, vacations, etc. For a young man in today's stagnant job market, NO WAY! That's why, I feel, there are so many so called, "herbivore" men. It's hard enough to keep your head afloat single, navigating the P/T フリター lifestyle. And of course, with the Internet, one's needs can be taken care of with relative ease and then it's back to the video games or all-you-can-eat dessert buffet!

4 ( +6 / -2 )

"It found that 42% of men and 44% of women had never had sex."

Haha, the more accurate picture is obtained by doubling the men's figure and halving the women's...

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

Looks like the thriving fuzoku, delivery health clubs, soaplands, and other outlets only have customers over the age of 34! Based on other articles here in JT, that would be when they have married, had a child or two, the wife stops sex and focuses on the children; so the husband goes elsewhere.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

The numbers do not add up.

More than 40% of young Japanese single adults are virgins,

So, it is about singles. Obviously, married adults are not virgins.

It found that 42% of men and 44% of women had never had sex.

How could this be possible? The virginity rates would be the average of those of singles and married. The overall virginity rates would be much lower than 40%, which is the virginity rate for singles.

The National Institute of Population and Social Security Research quizzed more than 5,000 singletons aged 18 to 34

OK. So all the numbers are for singles. The sentence should have been, "It found that 42% of single men and 44% of single women had never had sex."

The 2015 survey also found that seven-in-10 men were not in a relationship, while nearly six in 10 women were going to bed alone.

In other words, 4 in 10 single women goes to bed with someone else. This is surprising to me.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

You can imply from this poll that sex is only for making children in Japan. If that were the case more than 50% would have children. Unfortunately since this is a poll for only single people it's even worse...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I totally believe this figure. Let me give you an example. I was in a party with two average normal Japanese, one a handsome man, one a good looking woman. They were both single. We made friends and had some fun talk and I offered to host them so they could become a couple, in which both were interested, in theory. The man said he was busy at work, so I said OK not this weekend but maybe next. His counter offer was in 6 months! The woman was also so passive; like she said nothing. There you go ...

2 ( +5 / -3 )

I have no reason at present to doubt these statistics. I understand all the barriers that keep potential couples from being alone. It has always been this way. It is also true that if you want to make love you will find a way to do it in fairly comfortable privacy. I believe, though I cannot prove it, that this self-imposed celibacy is part of the disengagement of the post-bubble burst economy's limited hopes world. If you know you will never have nice things the best you can do is avoid problems that will complicate your life. No car, no children, no marriage and no sex, which can bring equal amounts of pleasure and distress. All the freely available sexual stimulation is of little use apparently to inspire coupling in an age group that is at its sexual peak.

Here is an interesting thought. Have a survey asking how many Japanese are engaged in some kind of same-sex relationship. Consider that a same-sex relationship will foster intimacy but cannot biologically produce children and does not have the pressures of marriage attending it.

Of course, people could be fibbing on those surveys. Even though they are anonymous, there is always the fear of being found out. Japan is a nation of masks. Masks only confess in novels.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

All I can add to this article is I have done my part to bring that figure low. Guess I have a lot more work to do.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

It is a bizarre phenomenon, but it's also not really hurting anyone

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

I call BS on those figures. I wonder who they asked, and how.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Sorry girls.. i came too late in Japan ... now i'm married lol

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

There are different definitions of what is considered sex.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Intended or not, this is a sexist remark. And just because someone is not in a relationship does not necessarily mean there is no sex, for either men or women.

"It found that 42% of men and 44% of women had never had sex."

"The 2015 survey also found that seven-in-10 men were not in a relationship, while nearly six in 10 women were going to bed alone."

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Really, what does it matter if people are doing it or not.

See: Maslow's hierarchy of needs

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

Very difficult to have any sexual relationship if one is listening to music and looking at or playng games on his/her I phone all day long ...

3 ( +5 / -2 )

In the immortal words of Archer, "Just the tip!"

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

This poll is not to be taken seriously. Haven't you heard? A poll of prison inmates will reveal that 100% are innocent.

Any poll asking people to self-report behavior that might be shameful or personal or whatever will give results skewed to the least shameful or revealing response.

I am surprised people are wasting any time whatsoever discussing its "results."

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

Do they do surveys like this for other countries? This obsession with Japanese procreation is very voyeuristic in my opinion.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Shunga is beautiful. Maybe that is all they need.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Japan: Blame the girls

Guys: There's work to do

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Does this include same-sex relationships? I have a feeling that there is a lot of man-man love going on and therefore technically not qualifying as virgins.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Assuming it's true - it's what happens when they work to much, watch to much porn. ????

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

The guys here are pretty lame and it makes the women lame too. My advice: guys, stop staring at me and my foreign friends incessantly wherever we go and start noticing the beautiful and even the not so beautiful women around you. Stop hanging off each other when you go out drinking. Put away your video games, put on some nice clothes, comb your hair, brush your teeth, use mouthwash, wear deodorant and some light-scented cologne. Talk to the woman like an adult and take them to nice places that they want to go to. Don't talk about your Mom, engineering, AKB, etc. Let them lead the conversation if they want. Ladies: stop expecting Kimutaku, get your nose out of the air and be friendly. If there is something that needs fixing, tell him. Don't expect Samantha Thavasa-type presents every time you meet. Stop acting like a child or a Disney character (same thing, really) and be an adult. Expect to pay at least half when going out sometimes. In the end, it takes two to tango, as the saying goes. There is blame enough for both sides.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

"Images of impossibly busty—and frequently underdressed—young women are common in the ubiquitous manga comics and on billboards."

Perhaps objectifying it so much is what's detrimental. Some men I know want the impossible from women, and so can't find one that is willing to be in a relationship. You can see it in the fact that there is a whole genre of porn devoted to 'robot maids', as well as the maid cafe and cos play porn houses, etc. The women, probably wisely, don't want any part of that fantasy as it is entirely one-sided, so they invest their time in energy in bettering themselves. I mean, it's no coincidence that just the other day at the Tokyo Games Show you had a nerd quoted as saying, "I can finally have a virtual girlfriend!" (who can do anything he pleases while he does not have to do a thing).

0 ( +0 / -0 )

yeah, very polarized culture. half the people die of shyness, the other half are among the horniest humans on earth. in the end, it all balances out...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Right...and if you believe that, I have some prime real estate for pennies to a dollar on a volcano in Hawaii....

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I do believe this report because Japanese men are to tired of work and has no time for great sex.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I do believe this report because Japanese men are to tired of work and has no time for great sex.

You seem to blame it on the men. I find that women are too tired from child-rearing and have no time for sex. At least w/ the man, you will know if they are a dud before you have kids together!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Do they do surveys like this for other countries? This obsession with Japanese procreation is very voyeuristic in my opinion.

I looked but could not find comparable surveys for other countries. This is a common pattern. Some quango or obscure outfit does a survey that says N percent of the Japanese do X or N percent of the Japanese do not do Y. A summary version gets put out in English and the English language media goes ape.

But, when you go to look for comparable surveys from other countries, you don't find them and thus there is no way to know whether the figures for Japan are high, low or indifferent.

"This obsession with Japanese procreation is very voyeuristic in my opinion."

I agree and it is particularly absurd when it gets linked to fertility rates because (1) contraception decouples intercourse and conception and (2) Japan has the same fertility rate as Germany and Italy and a fertility rate higher than a score of other countries. How often do you see an article asking "Why Have the Germans and Italians Stopped Having Sex" because the fertility rate in those countries is 1.4, the same as in Japan?

Claiming that another ethnic, national, or racial group is oversexed, undersexed, or both is a long standing element in racism. Numerous groups have been the target in the past. Almost any book on racism will deal with this pattern.

I suspect an aggravating factor in the Japanese case is a predisposition to believe that the Japanese are "weird" and behave like no one else on the planet. If someone looked at the Italian fertility rate of (roughly) 1.4 and wrote "Why Have the Italians Stopped Having Sex?" most people who dismiss the article as utter rubbish. But because so many outside of Japan and not a few Japanese themselves believe the Japanese are "different," you can not just get away with "Why Have the Japanese Stopped Having Sex," but articles making this claim will attract zillions of clicks and as a result the editors will publish even more rubbish making the same claim.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

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