Why do so many people on the internet like to characterize Japan as sex-crazy?

[Talvrae]

This is the country where you can by dirty knickers from vending machines. I'm sure Japan isn't full of sex-obsessed perverts, but it's certainly earned its reputation.

It might be exagerated... but how many contry sell dirty girls underwears in a distributing machines?

Just out of curiosity guys, how common do you think these vending machines are?

Because I've lived here for years upon years. I've hung out in seedy parts of Shinjuku. I used to live in a red-light district. I've never seen them. I've never heard a Japanese person mention them. They may have existed at one time, but attacking Japanese people for them now makes about as much sense as attacking Americans for the E.T. video game.

Incidentally, El Danny's "it's certainly earned its reputation" comment is particularly worrying to me. After all, far more Americans are involved in the meth industry than Japanese people are in the used panty industry. If it's okay to call Japanese people sex-crazy because you once heard a story about panty vending machines that you don't have any idea of how true it is, can we call all Americans meth-heads? Somehow I don't think that would be permitted.

Honestly I don't know... I personally I think the whole japenesse being sex crazed is exaggerated... All I was saying is story like that don't help the reputation

 

[Angie7F]

The point isn't sexual harrassment, it's that it's such a big issue and the only way they have of combating it is to rethink public transportation on a nationwide level. Is that what it takes?

Yeah, when you need to talk up "no groping" sections in public transportation, something's wrong.

It's nsort of like advertising that your restaurant's food is now spit free.

I think we have women only trains because unlike in other countries where many people commute by car, A high percentage of the Tokyo population take the train.
And it gets PACKED!

In a way, segregating women in women only train carriages prevents men from being accused falsely of groping women.
It is not like this in the non-metropolitan parts of japan because people drive cars.
Simple as that.

 

[Something Amyss]

In a way, segregating women in women only train carriages prevents men from being accused falsely of groping women.

Well, that's kinda bass ackward. Not only does volume apparently lead to harassment, but now it sounds like "won't someone think of the poor men?"

 

[Quadocky]

It bugs me a lot. I had a hard to trying to get this question out, but seeing jokes on this site and Cracked, as well as a few of my ignorant friends spouting has spurned me once more to try to ask the question, hopefully in a manner that is to be taken seriously, considering the subject matter that will be brought up. (I have my doubts about that, even on the Escapist...)


So... how about it. Why does everyone think they're all sex-crazy when that's definitely nowhere near the extent which everyone thinks? (Though this perception is NOT helped by the cultural-dissonance on how both the West and East view sexuality).

Part cultural dissonance, and part nerd history wise, many western otaku's first exposure to anime include what amount to porn.

It kinda just grew from there with an unfortunate stereotype.

 

[Something Amyss]

If it's okay to call Japanese people sex-crazy because you once heard a story about panty vending machines that you don't have any idea of how true it is, can we call all Americans meth-heads? Somehow I don't think that would be permitted.

It's fair to say we are a meth-obsessed nation, though.

There's an interesting language shift there, though. You go from Japan as sex-obsessed to ALL Americans. One of the people you quoted even specifically said it's not every Japanese person, so that shift is not necessary.

Comparing apples to apples, yes. We are a meth-obsessed nation.

 

[Qvar]

Americans. Classy? Classy is word I'd ascribe to brits, I associate America more with the stumming of banjo strings... and gunfire, lots and lots of gunfire.

Why do you assume that he ISN'T brit? Maybe because he has a... 'guy' in a brit-style suit avatar, hm?

 

[sageoftruth]

It bugs me a lot. I had a hard to trying to get this question out, but seeing jokes on this site and Cracked, as well as a few of my ignorant friends spouting has spurned me once more to try to ask the question, hopefully in a manner that is to be taken seriously, considering the subject matter that will be brought up. (I have my doubts about that, even on the Escapist...)


So... how about it. Why does everyone think they're all sex-crazy when that's definitely nowhere near the extent which everyone thinks? (Though this perception is NOT helped by the cultural-dissonance on how both the West and East view sexuality).

Speaking as someone that lives in Japanese society, it's a really hard issue to explain.

Sex is everywhere in this country. I mean, seriously, everywhere.

I can't tell you how shocked I was with the number of porn stores in this country, particularly in bigger cities like Akiba, Kyoto, Osaka, Tokyo, etc.

To cut a long story short, I'd say it's what you coined at the last sentence - it's because their idea of sex, sexuality and sexy is completely different to the west. For instance, a great many Japanese women wear short skirts. They don't wear it so much because they think it's super sexy. The do it because it's the social norm. And yet, all of us western men go wild over it, because very few women in the West wear skirts the way they do. And yet, unlike the west, they don't often show their cleavage so much. It's just totally different.

I will say that Japan uses sex to sell products MUCH MORE than the west. I'm not saying the west is conservative, but seriously, just look up some of the adverts from the highly successful group AKB48.


I mean, seriously, this is just a candy advert!

In Akihabara, about 30% of stores are selling AKB48 gear. There are some stores, which used to be video game stores, which are now completely dedicated to selling DVDs and photos of AKB48 members. I mean, I know you have famous singers in the west like Beyounce, Justin Bieber, One Direction, etc, but do you see stores on the highstreet dedicated to photos of them in bikinis or shirtless outfits?

Perhaps its also the fact that Japan has the second biggest porn industry in the world.

It's ironic that Japan has been having a decreasing birthrate for around 3-4 decades now. From what I've heard, Japanese couples don't actually have that much sex.

I don't know if I'd call it ironic. I think I know what you were getting at, but the wilder your porn gets, the less appealing real sex appears by comparison. Most men can't tell their wives to put on a weird costume and strap themselves into a crazy bondage device.

 

[sageoftruth]

In a way, segregating women in women only train carriages prevents men from being accused falsely of groping women.

Well, that's kinda bass ackward. Not only does volume apparently lead to harassment, but now it sounds like "won't someone think of the poor men?"

It's not just about sexism in that one. I can't claim to have spent much time there, but from some books I've read, many of them are about as comfortable with confrontation as the shyest yes-man in the US. Their society encourages avoidance of conflict, so passing a law that lessens the odds of women accusing men of groping them sounds simply like another law to avoid a dreaded awkward situation.

 

[Something Amyss]

It's not just about sexism in that one. I can't claim to have spent much time there, but from some books I've read, many of them are about as comfortable with confrontation as the shyest yes-man in the US. Their society encourages avoidance of conflict, so passing a law that lessens the odds of women accusing men of groping them sounds simply like another law to avoid a dreaded awkward situation.

No, it's not just about sexism, but that doesn't really change anything.

 

[Terramax]

I don't know if I'd call it ironic. I think I know what you were getting at, but the wilder your porn gets, the less appealing real sex appears by comparison. Most men can't tell their wives to put on a weird costume and strap themselves into a crazy bondage device.

That's very true. However, I think that's the tip of the iceberg.

I believe the reason is because Japan is heavily obsessed with consumerism, and has been for some time. But in a different way from the west.

Traditionally, Japan still has a social rule that the women marry and become housewives, and the men slave away at their jobs as the typical breadwinner.

However, both Japanese men and women of this current generation are become increasingly less interested in such a lifestyle. Men are expected to literally dedicate their lives to their jobs, to the point where it becomes an obsession. They put in crazy hours into work, to the point where they rarely spend time with their family.

Women are expected to be housewives - raising the kids, keeping the house clean, etc, but in this day and age it's not considered a glamorous lifestyle by all. This at least partially due to the recession, where it's now become increasingly harder for husbands to be the only earner in the relationship.

However, a great many Japanese women do still genuinely aspire to be nothing more than a housewife. It was only last week I was watching a programme with my GF, where a TV presenter went to various JP celebrity houses, and the wives literally just ran around cooking and cleaning, whilst the husband laid back and did sweat FA -- the show literally sold it that this is is a glamorous lifestyle for a woman to aspire to.

Another problem is that the current generation is becoming increasingly alienated from the opposite sex. More women are complaining Japanese men are too shy, and they obsess too much over work. Whilst many men are saying Japanese women are too much hard work, and they expect too much out of men. Whilst I won't go as far as labeling all as the same, many Japanese women will not so much as look at a guy if he isn't making good money.

I think several Japanese industries are taking advantage of this shift. When you see stuff such as idol groups, or fads such as host/ hostess clubs, what these industries are saying is "hey! don't waste you life getting married to someone that doesn't understand you, having kids that just become a burden, working your arse off, and never being truly happy. Instead, buy into our product instead! You don't need a husband/wife/boyfriend/girlfried! Stay single and just self-indulge in yourselves."

And I think the porn industry is one such industry that's milking this scenario for all it's worth. I think many guys are asking themselves "why work my arse off for a lady that doesn't do much for me, that I almost never see, and costs a bomb, when I can make do with porn and obsessing over idol groups such as AKB48 instead?"

It's not just guys either. Lots of women here are preferring to stay single as long as possible. Or an increasing number are looking for foreign boyfriends.

And, indeed, as you mentioned, these guys are focusing way too much on Japanese porn to the point where they're losing the ability to socialise or become compatible with the opposite sex. And trust me, it's hard enough socialising with people in Japan anyway. It's VERY hard to make new friends in this country, whether a native or a foreigner. But I think my post is long enough as it is, so I'll spare the details.

 

[sageoftruth]

I don't know if I'd call it ironic. I think I know what you were getting at, but the wilder your porn gets, the less appealing real sex appears by comparison. Most men can't tell their wives to put on a weird costume and strap themselves into a crazy bondage device.

That's very true. However, I think that's the tip of the iceberg.

I believe the reason is because Japan is heavily obsessed with consumerism, and has been for some time. But in a different way from the west.

Traditionally, Japan still has a social rule that the women marry and become housewives, and the men slave away at their jobs as the typical breadwinner.

However, both Japanese men and women of this current generation are become increasingly less interested in such a lifestyle. Men are expected to literally dedicate their lives to their jobs, to the point where it becomes an obsession. They put in crazy hours into work, to the point where they rarely spend time with their family.

Women are expected to be housewives - raising the kids, keeping the house clean, etc, but in this day and age it's not considered a glamorous lifestyle by all. This at least partially due to the recession, where it's now become increasingly harder for husbands to be the only earner in the relationship.

However, a great many Japanese women do still genuinely aspire to be nothing more than a housewife. It was only last week I was watching a programme with my GF, where a TV presenter went to various JP celebrity houses, and the wives literally just ran around cooking and cleaning, whilst the husband laid back and did sweat FA -- the show literally sold it that this is is a glamorous lifestyle for a woman to aspire to.

Another problem is that the current generation is becoming increasingly alienated from the opposite sex. More women are complaining Japanese men are too shy, and they obsess too much over work. Whilst many men are saying Japanese women are too much hard work, and they expect too much out of men. Whilst I won't go as far as labeling all as the same, many Japanese women will not so much as look at a guy if he isn't making good money.

I think several Japanese industries are taking advantage of this shift. When you see stuff such as idol groups, or fads such as host/ hostess clubs, what these industries are saying is "hey! don't waste you life getting married to someone that doesn't understand you, having kids that just become a burden, working your arse off, and never being truly happy. Instead, buy into our product instead! You don't need a husband/wife/boyfriend/girlfried! Stay single and just self-indulge in yourselves."

And I think the porn industry is one such industry that's milking this scenario for all it's worth. I think many guys are asking themselves "why work my arse off for a lady that doesn't do much for me, that I almost never see, and costs a bomb, when I can make do with porn and obsessing over idol groups such as AKB48 instead?"

It's not just guys either. Lots of women here are preferring to stay single as long as possible. Or an increasing number are looking for foreign boyfriends.

And, indeed, as you mentioned, these guys are focusing way too much on Japanese porn to the point where they're losing the ability to socialise or become compatible with the opposite sex. And trust me, it's hard enough socialising with people in Japan anyway. It's VERY hard to make new friends in this country, whether a native or a foreigner. But I think my post is long enough as it is, so I'll spare the details.

Wow, what a mouthful. Thanks for the info. I've heard about the obsession with working hard. "Ganbare" right? I always appreciate the chance to learn more about the country. I think I'll hang on to this response.

 

[crusador90]

Got some great answers from escapist posters out here.
I think it's going to take a very looooong time for these stereotypes to die down. If I told any of my friends from Japan that these stereotypes are commonly accepted among many ignorant westerners (Even the so called "otakus"), they'd be downright insulted.

 

[Terramax]

Wow, what a mouthful. Thanks for the info. I've heard about the obsession with working hard. "Ganbare" right? I always appreciate the chance to learn more about the country. I think I'll hang on to this response.

Heh, thanks for reading it.

Got some great answers from escapist posters out here.
I think it's going to take a very looooong time for these stereotypes to die down. If I told any of my friends from Japan that these stereotypes are commonly accepted among many ignorant westerners (Even the so called "otakus"), they'd be downright insulted.

You know I've never thought to ask my Japanese friends what they think of this stereotype. Personally, I think there is a grain of truth in it, but then again, as someone previously mentioned, all societies are obsessed with sex. I guess we all just express it in different ways.

 

[SadisticFire]

Quoted for dem truths

Also because mostly because that avatar has really been bothering me cause the background seems so similar and I just want my mind to ease. What is that avatar of and what is the background.
But anyways. Yeah people characterize japan as sex crazy mostly because the western world is uptight about sex. It really is. What's the big issue over it? (Pre STD, or major STD time anyways). Especially with protection you're just having a good time.
There's some species of chimps that all they do is have sex when ever there is an issue. Daughter steals something? Only solution is lesbian sex. Guys getting in fight? only solution is to jerk eachother off. Imagine how much less fighting there would be.

 

[sextus the crazy]

Maybe because we have access to Japan's porn collection?

All countries ARE sex crazy, and always have been, we're just more classy about it.

I've never associated the word "classy" with our nation. "Sexually repressed", yes. I believe Europe has a monopoly on classy.

Depends where in Europe though. I'm pretty sure Britain's got "pretends to be classy" down pat.

OT: Cultural perception based on what we're shown in the realm of the internet. Also, maybe because of repression. I dunno.

 

[crusador90]

I'd say the Western world, ESPECIALLY America, is also pretty damn hypocritical when it comes to this topic. I heard from plenty of statistics that imply that Americans are, on average, more sexually active than the average Japanese citizen, yet we're going out shaming them for their "perversions". I'm starting to think one of my Japanese friends whom I brought this topic up to had a point when he said that Americans are the ones who are more open about sexuality.

 

[Terramax]

Quoted for dem truths

Also because mostly because that avatar has really been bothering me cause the background seems so similar and I just want my mind to ease. What is that avatar of and what is the background.

It's from the anime 'Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. The character is a 'tachikoma'. Not sure what the background behind is - most likely the HQ of the Tachikomas. I hope that answers your question?

But anyways. Yeah people characterize japan as sex crazy mostly because the western world is uptight about sex. It really is. What's the big issue over it? (Pre STD, or major STD time anyways). Especially with protection you're just having a good time.

I'm not sure I agree with this. Actually, I think the truth is that Japan is actually more uptight about sex in many ways. This might seem strange from what you can see in their media, but Japan is still a very conservative country.

In my old work place in the UK, I used to hear women talk about sex with their BFs all the time, and they were often very open with their bodies sometimes. I would never imagine people in Japan being the same way in the workplace.

This is what's so strange about Japan. Sex is sold everywhere, but in many ways it's as if they don't acknowledge it. The Japanese are the kings at being able to ignore the blue elephant in the room.

I've heard from other foreigners that many Japanese couples don't actually have that much sex. It's stuff like this that always baffles me, because statistics I see and the things I hear often sound almost contradictory.

There's some species of chimps that all they do is have sex when ever there is an issue. Daughter steals something? Only solution is lesbian sex. Guys getting in fight? only solution is to jerk eachother off. Imagine how much less fighting there would be.

Haha, I just watched the film 'Until Sunrise' and the male lead actually talks about this. I don't suppose this is where you got this idea from?