The Celibacy Syndrome and Sexless Marriages in Japan – Culture Specific Phenomena of Clinical Issues?
This presentation aims to discuss two well-known sexuality phenomena in Japan from the clinical and cultural perspective. The celibacy syndrome in young people and sexless marriages are becoming widely discussed issues, raising more and more concerns over the future of Japanese society.
According to a recent survey by Japan’s Health Ministry, almost 40% of marriages in Japan are considered sexless (The Japan Society of Sexual Sciences defines sexless marriage as one where partners have sex less than once a month), and a 2011 survey conducted by the Japanese National Institute of Population and Social Security Research found that 61% of unmarried men and 49% of unmarried women aged 18-34 were not in any kind of romantic relationship. The survey by the Japan Family Planning Association found similar alarming data showing that 45% of women aged 16-24 were not interested in or even despised sexual contact.
The reasons behind the statistical data seem to be the combination of the dramatic changes in the contemporary structure of Japanese society and deeply rooted culture-specific factors, contributing to the significant issues in sexuality counselling and sex therapy practice in Japan. The presentation is based on the research data and clinical experience of the author.
