Japan, asexual territory

TokyoJapan is experiencing a silent and little-known paradox: it is one of the most technologically advanced societies in the world, but at the same time one of the most refractory to anything related to sex. The latest official surveys indicate that nearly half of Japanese people have not had sexual relations in the last month; this is in addition to the fact that nearly 50% of single young people between the ages of 18 and 35 are still virgins, and that almost one in two marriages survive without having sexual relations. These phenomena worry sociologists, demographers, and even the government itself, since it is part of in a country with a birth rate at historic lows and an unstoppable aging population.

This is not a marginal phenomenon or the anecdotes of individuals, but a demographic trend with multiple and complex reasons: they range from long working hours and professional pressure to the persistence of traditional roles within the family, including the emergence of new forms of virtual relationships. Furthermore, the idea of sex as an obligation rather than a pleasure is mixed with daily fatigue, especially among women, who often bear the double responsibilities of work and taking care of the home.

According to a study by the Japan Family Planning Association (JFPA), which surveyed 3,000 citizens, almost half of the working population has not had sexual relations in the last month: 48% of men and 50% of women report this. Far from being an anecdotal phenomenon, the survey includes a range of reasons that explain this lack of sexual activity.

Among women, two main explanations stand out. Just over 23% say they find sex boring or unappealing; almost 18% point to accumulated fatigue after long workdays, which leaves them without the energy or desire for intimacy. These responses highlight the combination of physical exhaustion and emotional detachment as key factors limiting a woman's sex life.

Sexless marriages

Men, on the other hand, cite other reasons: they also cite job burnout and decreased sexual activity after the birth of their children. It is striking that many young people—especially those in their twenties—admit that they have no interest in sex and, therefore, do not practice it. Experts consulted also point to an important social component: many men admit that they do not know how or do not dare to flirt for fear of being rejected or hurt, which contributes to their voluntary withdrawal from the profession. market.

According to the JFPA's 2024 survey, nearly half of married couples (48.3%) are considered "sexless" – having sex less than once a month – and 40% of women report having no sexual interest. These figures are not anecdotal; they point to a widespread pattern in which intimate married life has cooled for both material and cultural reasons.

This dynamic is accentuated by family and environmental practices that limit the time and setting for married life, such as the high prevalence of co-sleeping –with studies estimating that 70% of babies and children sleep with their parents–. There is also a psychosocial component: the declining interest in sex among young people and the social fear of rejection or problematic relationships pushes many individuals toward different priorities. Thus, the question that stands out in this topic is whether sexual disaffection responds to a profound cultural transformation of libido and intimate relationships, or if it is primarily the consequence of living and working conditions that stifle intimacy.

Erotic entertainment on the rise

Despite these data, and with the legal issues of the fuzoku (the erotic entertainment industry) aside, sexual consumption patterns are changing. According to a recent report in the Japanese weekly magazine on general consumption and popular culture Spa!, women now spend more money than men to satisfy their sexual needs. This growing spending is not only explained by an increase in consumption, but because many women seek experiences that fit their schedules, priorities, and safety criteria; that is, punctual, controllable services with a lower emotional burden than a conventional relationship.

At the same time, the market for women-oriented sex toys and other services designed for a female clientele is expanding; according to a report by the consulting firm Markets and Data, growth of more than 10% is expected between 2024 and 2025, driven by user-centered designs and a more accessible and discreet offering. The combined effect (specialized commercial offerings, "safe" leisure options such as women-only bars, and the availability of personal devices) explains how the commercialization of their sexual satisfaction becomes an attractive alternative for those who prefer to pay for convenience, intimacy, and control, rather than investing time and energy in personal or intimate relationships that they describe as...