In Japan, a recent publication by author Toianna has captured the public's attention by addressing a growing social phenomenon: "weak men." According to his book titled "弱者男性1500万人時代" (The Age of 15 Million Weak Men), one in eight Japanese and one in four men identify as "weak men." This category, which is not strictly defined by economic criteria, encompasses men who face challenges such as poverty, disability or social isolation.
The term "weak men" emerged in a context of social change in Japan. For decades, the country was known as a uniform middle-class society. However, data from 2018 reveals that one in six Japanese lives in poverty, with an annual household income of less than 1.27 billion yen (about $8,000). In fact, one in every hundred Japanese subsists on less than 210 yen a day (about 1 dollar). These changes have given rise to a growing group of men who, despite their efforts, are unable to improve their economic and social situation.
The notion of "weak men" includes those who might not be perceived as such at first glance. For example, a man with a high income might be considered a "strong man," but if he is trapped in an abusive relationship that leaves him without financial autonomy, he may also be considered weak. This category is not merely a quantitative label, but a way of acknowledging the various ways in which men may feel marginalized or powerless in society.
An interesting aspect is the relationship between the concept of "weak men" and the previous term "KKO" (キモくて金のないおっさん), which roughly translates to "ugly and poor old men". This derogatory term, popularized on social networks in 2015, highlighted the social stigma towards men who did not meet traditional standards of success or attractiveness. However, the transition from "KKO" to "weak men" reflects an attempt to approach the issue with more empathy and understanding.
Toianna's book estimates that there are as many as 15.04 million "weak men" in Japan, which is about 24% of the male population. A survey of more than 500 men revealed that 26.2% identify as "weak men," which is equivalent to about 16 million people in the country. The main reasons for this self-identification include low income, lack of friends, and difficulties communicating with others.
Despite the increasing visibility of "weak men," Japanese society still shows little empathy and support for this group. The idea that men should be inherently strong and self-sufficient contributes to many underestimating their problems and needs. This lack of recognition and support is reflected in the "pity ranking" proposed by writer Kei Mitatera (御田寺圭), where "weak men" are placed low on the scale of public sympathy.
In conclusion, the growing discussion about "weak men" in Japan points to an urgent need to reconsider how the various forms of vulnerability in society are understood and supported. Not only is this topic relevant to men, but it also offers a critical perspective on societal expectations and empathy towards those struggling to find their place in a changing world.
- «What about older women?"
- «That's exactly it! They only criticize older men, while defending women with all their might. Isn't that weird?"
- «Could it be that the general opinion is 'let them say what they want'?"
- «If you were to write "old, ugly and poor women", they would say that it is sexism, but with men it is allowed. What a superficial article."
- «The crime rate is overwhelmingly different. If you exclude misdemeanors, violent crimes are hundreds of times more common in men. It is normal for people with a minimum of intelligence to be more cautious with men than with women."
- «The ineptitude of the Japanese is not limited to one in eight."
- «Maybe it's because my face is too unpleasant, but in recent years, it's common for me to wait five minutes in front of the supermarket checkout and no one comes."
- «Dumb women are only interested in Johnny's idols or hosts. They should thank us for keeping us away from them."
- «Especially with men, the term 'otaku' has been changed to 'autism spectrum disorder.'"
- «I am a woman, but I see that half of the men have a mild autism spectrum disorder. It's not to look down on them, but it's like, "How come they don't understand that?" I am surprised by their lack of understanding and limited vision."
- «I'm a bald, unemployed man who has never had sex. I take revenge on the world by not bathing so that my body odor is strong."
- «Don't they realize that this type of discussion is discriminatory?"
- «There are no strong people anywhere! All of humanity is weak! I and you are also weak!"
- «There are more weak men, more strong women and more people with undefined gender."
- «Sure, the dating world is a place full of people who aren't popular. If you ask someone who is involved in that world, they will say that most people are weak men."
- «And what about women over 30 who aren't even seen by those men who aren't popular?"
Source: Yaraon!
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