Loveless marriages are increasing exponentially

In recent years, sexless marriages in Japan have grown exponentially. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan considers couples who have no sex or have sex less than once a month to be sexless couples; and statistics from 2007 show that 35% of couples in Japan belong to this group, with the responsibilities of husbands and wives divided at a ratio of 6:4.

Japanese marriage experts believe that there are three reasons for the "rampant" sexless marriages in the country.

First, Japanese men are under too much work pressure and are so exhausted when they get home that they just want to take a shower, eat and sleep. They are "powerless" to enjoy a nightlife with their spouses. Although their wives are dissatisfied, traditional culture makes it difficult for them to take the initiative to seek sex, so they gradually get used to it.

Second, male chauvinism is prevalent in Japan. In marriages dominated by men, wives’ personal opinions cannot be expressed and it is difficult for them to communicate with their husbands. Instead, they regard their husbands as their breadwinners and butter and need them to earn money to support the family. But because her husband is busy and authoritarian, her wife gradually closed her heart to him, and they no longer talk or confide in each other, so naturally her body could not cooperate.

Third, the development of the erotic industry in Japan stems from men’s firm belief that life needs eroticism. However, once married and having children, love turns into family affection. Many sexless couples even feel closer than when they were in love, but they are no longer the heart-beating opposite sex. Men's physiological needs can be met through the erotic industry. Most Japanese women believe that this is a physiological requirement of men. Although they feel hurt, most of them endure it in silence. 35-year-old Yumiko and her husband are a sexless couple the reporter met during the interview. Their sexless marriage began three years ago, when the hospital advocated that the husband accompany Yumiko during childbirth to encourage his wife. The husband watched the baby being born and thought his wife was great and caring, but he no longer wanted to have sex with her. "After seeing my wife giving birth, I started to see her as a 'mother' rather than a woman," the husband said.

Japan has realized the negative impact of sexless marriages. A survey by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare shows that children of sexless parents are more likely to be bullied. If a couple lingers in erotic places or lives a cold-hearted life, the family, as a basic social unit, will lose its due "warmth" and "cohesion", affecting people's mental outlook and physical health. Not long ago, many large companies in Japan announced that they would force their employees to go home early and enjoy family life. At the same time, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare also distributed "slow sex" tips booklets to remind middle-aged couples who have entered the sexless stage to enjoy their married life.