Japan Forum

When most people in America think of a stereotypical Japanese man, they doubtless think of the numerous references in movies and TV (hello, South Park). Polite to a fault but aggressive in business matters, usually sexist, heavy drinkers in suits and ties with clean coiffs: the Salaryman. But this stereotypical man may be an endangered species, according to a Times Online article which foresees the rise of the "girlie man," another way of putting the "herbivore man," which you may have heard mention of elsewhere. These men are shy, quiet, would rather hang out with pals than go drinking, would rather be friends with a woman than be a player.

The earliest reports of "herbivore men" suggested that, as the Times put it, they were "a generation of neutered geeks" that resulted in the low birth and high suicide rates that japan currently suffers from. But the Times thinks that under the surface, these men are going to be a force for major change, particularly in the wake of the LDP's defeat and other calls for change. These men are less interested in mere status symbols and in being humiliated while climbing the workforce ladder; instead they treasure family and friends over shopping and travel, and want their work to be a part of their lives rather than the entirety of them.

If you're curious about the "girlie" tag, it's because of the fashions associated with the herbivores: men's cosmetics, skirts, and lacy tops, are all a part of the look, and concern over sweat and body odor is replacing the fear of how much liquor you can hold. Marketer Maki Fukasawa calls it "sexually neutral," and thinks that it relates to "the changing nature of Japanese marriage." (The number of unmarried 30-34-year-olds in Japan has increased significantly over the last few decades.)

Interesting changes all around, and of course the comparisons to western "metrosexuals" is inevitable. But it's a pretty big change from some of our usual Japanese stereotypes...
 
 
This also ties into our current Question of the Not-Day on the forums-- bishies vs manly men. What do you think? I personally wish American men spent a bit more time and money on being odorless, too.

@ThePsychoGamer: In my harshest moments, I feel like people who use Axe should die in a fire.
 
@Black_Rose: Awww, no, we need pretty boys in the west too! ><;

Psychologically, sounds to me like "normal person", although fashion-wise, not maybe so much. Dunno why chilling out, enjoying life, and not being a complete skirt-chaser makes one "herbivore" or "girly".

wait going drinking is not hanging out?

@Karasu: It's easy to say that from our western standpoint that wanting to be friends with women and wanting a career that is fulfilling and/or not the entirety of your life is "normal," but in Japan it's a pretty new perspective. A decade or two ago, you devoted your all to your company. It wasn't just for your own benefit, it was to build your nation's economy. What we're seeing isn't just a shift of these specifics, but the continued shift of Japan's mindset from the "for the greater good" sacrificial mindset to the self-interested individuality mindset. Westerners have been more self-obsessed for ages, of course ;P
 
@cfatalis: Not the way the Japanese traditionally do it. Going out drinking after work is a time-honored tradition where peon employees have to suck up to their bosses, show off how much they can drink, and/or humiliate themselves for their bosses' amusement. It's also expected that the employees go; turning it down makes them look bad, typically. So, eschewing drinking parties in favor of hanging out at home or shopping malls or whatever is actually more significant than you might realize ^^

@gia: but that means, it is a social norm,and well they should just swallow it and accept the invitation

It's also worth pointing out (whenever people talk about images of masculinity and men) that the stereotypical "masculine" image of stoicism, emotional deadness, and aggression (I'm looking at you, Golgo 13) is about as healthy as the usual America diet.
 
In all honesty, despite all the odd sexual/nonsexual paradoxes surrounding 00s anime culture (and Japanese culture in general), what is most likely happening, at some level of society in Japan and elsewhere, is men (and boys) are becoming more aware of an emotional side of themselves, even if it's just through watching Kanon. Some of the moe backlash is certainly reminiscent of "you're having feelings this is not manly".
 
I'm all in favor of humble individualism; sometimes it feels as though the rugged American, self-effacing individualist ethic got sidetracked into some kind of self-promoting narcissism. I get depresed when I see books at work that talk about viewing yourself as a brand and a commodity, and I should go read <i>The Unincorporated Man</i> soon.