Japanese 'giving up on sex'
Japan is facing a crisis in the bedroom that threatens the very future of the
nation, according to the head of the nation's Family Planning Association.
By Julian Ryall in Tokyo
Last Updated: 8:37AM GMT 14 Nov 2008
A new study by Dr. Kunio Kitamura has revealed that more than one third of all
couples in Japan have effectively given up on sex, with most complaining they
are too tired after work or that it is "boring."
"The results are a surprise because the numbers keep going up each year," said
Dr. Kitamura.
In 2004, 32 per cent of Japanese admitted to not having sexual intercourse in
the previous month. That number has now risen to 37 per cent, according to a
report that will be presented to the Ministry of Health and Welfare next year.
"Of course, if people are not having sex then there will be fewer children,"
Dr. Kitamura said.
Japan's birth rate stood at 1.34 in 2007, far below the replenishment rate of
2.08 babies that is required for a stable population.
The country's population, which peaked at around 127.7 million in 2006, is
predicted to decline to 95 million by 2050. And if drastic measures to
encourage people to have more sex and more children don't succeed then there
will be a mere 47.7 million Japanese at the turn of the next century.
The Japanese government recognises that it has a problem with a declining birth
rate, which will inevitably lead to a population dominated by elderly people
who will need to have their pensions and health care funded by a shrinking
group of workers, and is seeking ways to halt the decline.
Proposals for increased payments for parents, more time off work after the
birth of a child and increased access to health and education opportunities
have been welcomed, but have not led to a flood of new arrivals.
Dr. Kitamura has a more basic approach to the problem: achieving a balance
between work and life and communication.
"People are working too hard today and the most important piece of advice I
would give to couples is for them to go home as early as possible after work
and communicate with their partners," he says. "Not communicating is the main
reason why so many marriages are sexless."
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