Big in Japan: Japanese people don’t have enough sex

by Matthew Firestone on

Japanese people don’t have enough sex…

…at least according to condom manufacturer Durex’s survey of sex lifestyles around the world.

This annual survey, which catalogues the down and dirty in 26 countries around the world, was compiled after more than 26,000 candid interviews.

Despite Western stereotypes of Japanese people having crazy kinky sex, life in the bedroom here in the Far East is anything but stimulating. In fact, the raw numbers are shocking if not all together depressing.

On average, Japanese people only do the deed 48 times a year, well below the world average of 103 times.

(In case you were wondering, the Greeks are the sex champions with an average of 164 bouts per year).

It gets even worse.

Although Japanese AV films (pornographic videos) are anything but tame, unfortunately reality doesn’t mirror movie magic. Not only do Japanese people have less sex than anyone else in the world, but they apparently also have the least interesting time in the bedroom.

Here are the depressing stats.

Sadly, 90 percent of Japanese said that their sex lives lack stimulation, which pales in comparison to the global average of 50 percent of people who enjoy a healthy sex life. Not surprisingly, the Japanese lead the world in the frequency of masturbation.

38 percent of Japanese masturbate weekly compared with a global average of 16 percent. And, despite the fact that the three major monotheistic religions consider masturbation to be a sin, only 4 percent of Japanese people had a negative opinion of the practice.

During the course of their lives, Japanese men have an average of 14 sex partners, while Japanese women have an average of 8. This is higher than the global average of 13 and 7 sex partners respectively, though this is perhaps due to the high frequency of boring sex.

Japanese average 34 minutes for each session of sex (including foreplay), which is actually one more minute then the amorous French and just above the global average.

Sadly however, 86 percent of Japanese people want to have more sex, though they are unable to communicate with their partners. In a culture where vagueness and shades of grey are preferable to clarity and honesty, intimate conversations never seem to go beyond pillow talk.

So just exactly how boring is sex in Japan?

Only 34 percent of Japanese people engage in oral sex.
Only 16 percent of Japanese people like sexy underwear.
Only 4 percent of Japanese people engage in role play.
Only 16 percent of Japanese people regularly use sex toys.
Only 15 percent of Japanese people use lubrication.

Wow. Clearly something needs to be done.

If anyone is reading this in Japan, I urge you to go the liquor store, and buy a nice bottle of champagne to set the mood. When you get home, instead of plopping yourself in front of the TV and watching Japanese dramas, turn on some romantic music, pop the bubbly, drag your better half to the bedroom and get to it.

If we all do our part, together with can make Japan number one…

Oh, the places you won’t go.

by Grant Martin on

In a recent conversation with a traveler friend of mine, we got onto the topic of places we wouldn’t go if we were given a free ticket. Both of us being fairly adventurous travelers, it was a pretty short list on either side.

But it begs the question of what people are willing to accept as vacation. Many people I know want to go to the beach, plop down on the sand, have their feet rubbed and read the latest Dan Brown book (the cripple did it, regardless of what book you’re reading).

Others, want to get the highest “adventure” value out of their dollar and would prefer to chew on tree roots in the Peruvian jungle with pygmies. Each voyage has its own spot on the travel spectrum; I’d like to think that I lean a little further to the adventure side vs. the posh side, but there are times when I’ve broken down and checked into the Club Med.

At the top of my list of places to see if it was paid for? Afghanistan. As Cassie Biggs of the AP recently found out, the underground tourism industry in the war torn country does exist, its just a matter of having the courage and money to make the trip. Personally, I would one day like to see the site of the Bamyan Buddhas and the fields of poppies that are supposed to blanket the countryside. Some day, I guess.

The three places I wouldn’t go? Iraq, Sudan and Somalia. What are yours?

For the record, a great documentary on the destruction of the Bamyan Buddhas can be found here.

Big in Japan: Happi Harroween!!!

by Matthew Firestone on

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For those of you who can’t read Japanese – Happi Harroween!!

Yes, I know it’s still the middle of October, but here in Japan, Halloween is catching on in a big way.

From pumpkin flavored cappuccinos and pastas in Tokyo’s trendiest cafes and restaurants to witches and wizards adorning the window displays of even the most upscale of department stores, the Japanese are embracing the Halloween spirit.

It’s not hard to see why.

The Japanese are some of the world’s most avid consumers, with fine dining and shopping being something of a national obsession. And, let’s not forget about the fact that foreign trends are always the height of fashion in Japan.

Being an American, I’ll be the first person to say that the last thing the world needs is more McDonald’s and Starbucks on every single street corner from London to Tokyo. But, it’s hard not to love Halloween, especially since it’s the perfect excuse to wear a silly costume and blow your diet on gobs of candy.

Take for instance the Halloween party I threw for my students this past Saturday night.

When I’m not writing blogs for Gadling or on the road for Lonely Planet, I’ve been known to teach English from time to time. Of course, learning English is more than just cramming vocabulary and learning the difference between the simple past and the progressive past.

(Actually, I’ve never been that good at grammar, which is probably why I avoid trying to teach it all costs!)

Anyway, learning English should be about creating natural environments for students to practice their language skills in, which is why international parties are all the rage here in Tokyo.

Anyone who’s ever studied a foreign language can attest to the fact that it’s easier to speak when you’re absolutely hammered. There’s something about copious amounts of alcohol in the bloodstream that seems to awaken the brain, depress your inhibitions and loosen the tongue.

Needles to say, copious amounts of alcohol were imbibed at the first annual Halloween costume party at my English school. The night started out with yours truly, decked out in my best Matrix-inspired devil’s costume, welcoming everyone to the party, doing a keg stand and thus setting the standard for the madness that followed.

If there are any doubts about Japanese people’s ability to drink alcohol, I would urge you to spend a few drunken crazy nights here in Tokyo.

Yes, Japanese people do turn red when they drink alcohol, which is actually a minor allergy caused by a faulty enzyme. And yes, Japanese people do tend to puke fairly early on in the night, though the famous ‘boot and rally’ is something of a source of pride here.

But, I can assure you that the Japanese people party like it was their job, which is probably why my liver has slowly started failing me since moving to Japan. In spite of my Eastern European blood, my Japanese friends always set the pace, which is usually more alcohol than any sane individual should consume in one night.

Perhaps this is why I can’t remember most of the Halloween party…

Fortunately, I took a lot of pictures, and even though I’m not sure what’s going on, it does seem like everyone is having fun, right?

Cigarette vending machines in Japan to require ID

by Catherine Bodry on

“Can I see your ID?” This question will now, in theory, be asked to anyone who attempts to buy cigarettes from vending machines in Japan. Reuters reports that “by next July, all of Japan’s 570,000 cigarette vending machines will require a smart card called ‘taspo’– a blend of the words tobacco, access and passport — issued only to people who are at least 20, the legal smoking age.”

The taspo card will also function as a money card for the machine, allowing users to pay for cigarettes as they’re being identified. The cards will be offered free of charge, and the smoker’s picture will appear on the card (though the machines have no way to read the images).

The machines were funded in large part by the Tobacco Institute, whose members include Japan’s three tobacco companies. The general manager at the Institute, Kazuyuki Kobayashi, says the Institute hopes the new system will prevent minors from smoking.

GADLING TAKE FIVE: Week of October 13-19

by Jamie Rhein on

If you missed that big things happened at Gadling this week, then all I have to say is, “Where have you been?” Gadling has a brand new look and we’re enjoying it. It’s kind of like a shiny new toy. Wow! What does this drop down menu do on the left? The information we used to have is all here, it’s just relocated and gussied up. Also, perhaps you’ve noticed the slight name change. Instead of the heading “Gadling: The traveler’s blog,” we’re “Gadling: go there.”

Here our some of the offerings we’ve dished up this week that hopefully will help you go there where ever that may be. Hey, and if you’re not going off on some huge whirlwind mega trip, that’s fine by us. Sometimes, it’s the close to home treasures that are worth writing home about.

Abha Malpani, who just joined our Gadling forces this week, has some ideas for the best places to hook up with someone if you are so inclined, while Catherine’s got you covered when it comes to avoiding tourist traps. Grant knows just where you can get your hands on some of the best street food in Europe, and if you have a sweet tooth craving, check out Martha’s top places in the U.S. for a sugar fix ideas. To help you gather a bunch of facts that might come in handy at a party, or on a bus, or on an airplane –or just to amuse yourself in the privacy of your own bathroom, pick up a copy of Take Me to Your Leader. Kelly’s always dishing up good finds with her One for the Road Series.

Okay, that’s five and I still haven’t mentioned Matthew’s wealth of Japan know-how this week. Lastly, don’t miss Neil’s post “Visiting an American embassy, Simpson’s style.” Perhaps, you can relate.