21% of Japanese men in twenties have “no interest in” sex

More moaning and groaning about “sexless Japan” in the Japan Times, this time in a piece titled For many young Japanese, marriage — and sex — are low priorities.

It highlights an 18-year-old who “winces whenever he imagines himself dating a girl”.

Stats maketh the truth. The article has a nice survey to back up its theory of under-sexed youngsters: 74.3% of people in their twenties are not in a relationship, compared to 50% in 1996.

Another poll found that 40% of people in their twenties are “not looking for a relationship”. Meanwhile, yet another study by the Japan Family Planning Association says that men in their late twenties with “no interest in” sex or who even “despise” it has risen to 21.6% in 2014, up from 8.3% in 2008. What does this mean?

Apparently it doesn’t even matter if you are in a relationship or marriage, since a same JFPA survey found that 44.6% of married couples in Japan in 2014 are not having sex.

What’s to blame?

The Japan Times suggests it’s a lack of role models on TV and watching too much anime.

“In anime, everything is perfect… I wish my real life were like that,” says the student.

In those rare moments when his libido gets the better of him, Nakamura turns to his smartphone in search of an online porn video for quick masturbation.

“I’m not interested in real-life sex. Just watching those videos is enough.”

Under what rock did they find this “representative” teenager?

Take a trip to Shibuya or a student area like Waseda and you’ll find plenty of exceptions to the “Nakamura Rule”.

They also find, Akira, a wannabe musician waiting for some friends outside Shibuya Station. “I don’t think I would go out of my way to approach girls. I would just wait until the right girl shows up.” Hmm…. sounds pretty normal to us!