EXPLORING THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF CELIBACY SYNDROME: SOCIETAL TRENDS AND THEIR IMPACT IN JAPAN

Pankaj Sharma

doi:10.47413/vidya.v3i2.442

Authors

Pankaj Sharma Shri K. K. Shastri Government Commerce College https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0848-8704

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47413/vidya.v3i2.442

Keywords:

Japan, Celibacy, Social, Economic, Business, Relationship

Abstract

This study investigates the complex impact of celibacy syndrome on social and economic aspects in Japan, where there has been a noticeable reduction in interest and engagement in romantic relationships and sexual activities, particularly among the younger generation. To meet the objective of this study, descriptive research design has been used. The data has been collected from secondary sources like national reports on fertility survey of Japan, news articles, and statista database, published research articles and research papers. In conclusion, the impact of celibacy syndrome in Japan extends across individuals, society, business, and the economy, showcasing a nuanced interplay of both positive and challenging consequences. While financial autonomy, personal transformation, and a focus on learning emerge as positive individual outcomes, there are concerns regarding social withdrawal, loneliness, and potential mental health challenges. Societal impacts include shifts in cultural norms and challenges to social cohesion. In the business realm, a highly dedicated workforce may be a positive outcome, but demographic challenges and changes in consumer behavior pose economic risks. This study can be further extended by collecting first hand data and experience from the individuals to support with empirical evidences.

References

Delakorda Kawashima, T. (2022). The Relationless Japanese Society and the Practices of Belonging during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Asian Studies, 10(1), 45–68. https://doi.org/10.4312/as.2022.10.1.45-68

Ejiri, M., Kawai, H., Fujiwara, Y., Ihara, K., Hirano, H., Kojima, M., & Obuchi, S. (2018). Predictors of social isolation among older people living in urban area: a prospective study. [Nihon Koshu Eisei Zasshi] Japanese Journal of Public Health, 65(3), 125-133.

Kato, T. A., Kanba, S., & Teo, A. R. (2019). Hikikomori: multidimensional understanding, assessment, and future international perspectives. Psychiatry and clinical neurosciences, 73(8), 427-440.

Kuroda, A., Tanaka, T., Hirano, H., Ohara, Y., Kikutani, T., Furuya, H., ... & Iijima, K. (2015). Eating alone as social disengagement is strongly associated with depressive symptoms in Japanese community-dwelling older adults. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 16(7), 578-585.

Macedo, P., Pimenta, V., Alves, M., Uria, A. S. R., & Salgado, H. (2017). Hikikomori goes global: a Portuguese case. European Psychiatry, 41(S1), S514-S514.

Mitsutake, S., Koike, T., Ishizaki, T., Sakurai, R., Yasunaga, M., Nishi, M., ... & Fujiwara, Y. (2021). Influence of co-existing social isolation and homebound status on medical care utilization and expenditure among older adults in Japan. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 93, 104286.

Noguchi, T., Saito, M., Aida, J., Cable, N., Tsuji, T., Koyama, S., ... & Kondo, K. (2021). Association between social isolation and depression onset among older adults: a cross-national longitudinal study in England and Japan. BMJ open, 11(3), e045834.

Oshio, T., & Kan, M. (2019). Preventive impact of social participation on the onset of non-communicable diseases among middle-aged adults: A 10-wave hazards-model analysis in Japan. Preventive medicine, 118, 272-278.

Sharma, P. (2023). Impact of celibacy syndrome on individuals and society in Japan. International Journal of Research Culture Society, 7(31), 125. https://doi.org/10.2017/IJRCS/WSRC-2023/017

Saito, M., Aida, J., Cable, N., Zaninotto, P., Ikeda, T., Tsuji, T., ... & Kondo, K. (2021). Cross‐national comparison of social isolation and mortality among older adults: A 10‐year follow‐up study in Japan and England. Geriatrics & gerontology international, 21(2), 209-214.

Saito, T., Kai, I., & Takizawa, A. (2012). Effects of a program to prevent social isolation on loneliness, depression, and subjective well-being of older adults: a randomized trial among older migrants in Japan. Archives of gerontology and geriatrics, 55(3), 539-547.

Sakurai, R., Yasunaga, M., Nishi, M., Fukaya, T., Hasebe, M., Murayama, Y., ... & Fujiwara, Y. (2019). Co-existence of social isolation and homebound status increase the risk of all-cause mortality. International psychogeriatrics, 31(5), 703-711.

Shimokihara, S., Maruta, M., Hidaka, Y., Akasaki, Y., Tokuda, K., Han, G., ... & Tabira, T. (2021). Relationship of decrease in frequency of socialization to daily life, social life, and physical function in community-dwelling adults aged 60 and over after the COVID-19 pandemic. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(5), 2573.

Yager, J., & Dagan, Y. (2020). Response to Letter Regarding the Dagan and Yager Article. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 208(11), 912.

Yamaguchi, Y., Yamada, M., Hapsari, E. D., & Matsuo, H. (2020). The Influence of Social Isolation on the Preventive Behaviors for Non-Communicable Diseases in Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Japan. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(23), 8985. MDPI AG. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17238985

Yokoro, M., Otaki, N., Imamura, T., Tanino, N., & Fukuo, K. (2023). Association between social network and dietary variety among community-dwelling older adults. Public Health Nutrition, 1-9.

Zorin, N. (2020). Socio-cultural changes in Japan after the Second world war. Nauka. me, (4).

https://www.statista.com/statistics/1249856/japan-marriage-rate/

https://www.macrotrends.net/countries/JPN/japan/birth-rate#:~:text=The%20birth%20rate%20for%20Japan,a%201.3%25%20decline%20from%202019.

https://www.insider.com/the-number-of-adult-virgins-in-japan-seems-to-be-rising-2019-4

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2019-04-national-virginity-japan-adults-30s.html

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/09/16/japan-has-a-worrying-number-of-virgins-government-finds/

https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-data/h01440/

https://www.globaldata.com/data-insights/macroeconomic/the-gender-ratio-of-japan-325541/