6 Reasons Why The Japanese Aren’t Having
Babies The island country with the world’s third-longest
life expectancy has an increasing aging population, with the median age being 47 years and more
than 50,000 people over 100. On the other hand, as far as the younger natives
are concerned, things are looking grim for Japan, the problem being a steady decline
in the number of babies born each year. As of the year 2014, it was reported that
the country saw a record low of 1 million births in contrast to 1.3 million deaths. As the overall number of Japanese people continues
to fall, and ratios of senior citizens get higher, the country faces financial burdens
in accommodation of the elderly and lack of young workforce. Experts have even predicted a possible extinction
of the Japanese race in the near future. Here are some possible reasons why the Japanese
aren’t having babies. Number one: The Celibacy Syndrome One of the obvious reasons why enough babies
aren’t being made? Enough people aren’t having sex! Known in Japanese as sekkusu shinai shokogun,
it is a hypothesis put forth by unknown members of the Japanese media. The ‘celibacy syndrome’ refers to the
decline in sexual activity and lack of desire for sexual relationships among the Japanese
youth. The Family Planning Association of Japan reported
the results of a survey which prove the lack of interest in having sex among the Japanese. From the 1,134 people who participated, as
many as 49% of the participants between 16 and 49 years of age claimed not to have had
sex in a month. When asked about the reason for the lack of
sex, the main blame was given to work fatigue, little interest in sex, or the ‘bothersome’
nature of the act, according to some women. Another Japanese population center report
from 2011 found 27% Japanese men and 23% of the ladies to be uninterested in getting into
a romantic relationship. Moreover, 61% of the males and 49% females
between 18 and 34 years of age were found to be single. In the same age group, 36% of the gentlemen
and 39% of the ladies claimed to be virgins. Some stereotypical people generalize that
an increasing number of Japanese kids are ‘geeks’ addicted to technology with no
time for real life relationships or commitment. Number two: Kids Are Expensive In a country as advanced as Japan, the cost
of raising a child is pretty high. The skyrocketing prices of common childcare
services such as preschool or daycare is a further problem in having a baby. Although the Japanese government has taken
a number of steps in hopes of improving the steadily declining birth rates, they have
yet to see a significant positive effect from their efforts. As it is, finances may be a major part of
not having kids, but there’s evidently more to the story. Number three: Stress at Work Stuck in a practice where they allow their
employers to suck every last ounce of productivity from them, the Japanese are committed, hard
workers at the workplace. The long hours work culture even has some
employees leaving very early in the morning and coming home around midnight. You can have an idea of their dire need for
rest or a break by the fact that companies have started encouraging workers to take naps
during office hours in order to increase their performance. Although Japanese employers do offer annual
leaves like any regular company, the workaholic nature of employees has resulted in the leaves
hardly being used. When considering to take a day off, they fear
the criticism of their colleagues and not seeming committed enough to their jobs. Such stress at work is blamed for a large
number of deaths and suicides each year. As it is, the rate of suicides in Japan is
quite high compared to other countries. Where such a work schedule exists, time for
an actual social or family life is largely compromised, as the drained human beings generally
tend to sleep rather than engage in intercourse after a long day. Number four: Career-Oriented Women With growing numbers of literate females and
women working to establish an independent career for themselves, marriage and babies
is not high on the priority list for many. Japanese society also pretty much requires
women to choose either a career or have a family, with criticism reserved for those
who dare to choose both. In Japan’s male dominant society, the notion
of men being the providers and women caring for the kids at home is still quite common,
which may be the reason for so many women not willing to get ‘bound’ with marriage
and kids. Number five: Social Attitudes According to a survey by Fisher, there is
a 25% possibility of a woman in her early twenties staying unmarried for life, and a
40% chance that she would never have kids. Japanese society tends to criticize women
who are married and working. They give them the name Oniyome or ‘devil
wives’. Reportedly, the population survey in charge
for Japan has advised women to “stay home and breed”. Such a demeaning attitude toward women has
led to many preferring the single life and choosing to stay independent. Number six: The Fantasy World of Japanese
Men Japan’s technological advance has apparently
not spared any aspect of life. LovePlus, a dating simulator, has received
high popularity among Japanese men, with many taking solace in the digital girlfriends it
has to offer. These women can be programmed according to
the players’ wishes, and offer kisses when they’re pleased, and smacks when insulted. Many have gone as far as taking these characters
to real dates. In such a scenario where these fantasy ‘perfect’
girlfriends exist, of course a real life relationship cannot come close to matching their standards. However, there is obviously one thing these
virtual girlfriends can’t offer - sex, and babies! As more of the Japanese youth become absorbed
in manga, anime and computers, the desire for sex, babies and real life relationships
continues to decline steadily. With the high cost of living and the stressful
work life, it is no surprise that the Japanese prefer not to ‘complicate’ things further
by having babies, which would automatically increase their responsibilities.
