Cultural Revolution in Japan?

[D-San]

Would you like to see a cultural revolution in Japan?

With all the perversion, suicide, and other social problems that seem to be getting worse in Japan. Is it time for Japanese people to wake up before society degrades itself anymore?

I would like to see more positive family values in Japanese society before it's too late. Kids are having sex like no tomorrow and STDs are spreading rapidly. The birthrate is declining while men would rather pursue empty fantasies with bar maids. People starve to death because they are scared of shaming society by taking Welfare, etc...

[SushiShin]

Hey normally im not always agree with american people (no offence my nephew lives in america) and i think you are right, and i agree in some way with you.

Sex is a taboo allready for many years, we talk and discuss about like we hate it, but in the night everyone likes it so that's weird, argueing while actually you enjoy it :o and about the s*x industry well i must agree too, it's becoming huge and huger with the minute, and yes kids have sex like no tommorow, well if you summon everything up, then you are in fact right, so D-San its time for a 'Herbalicious' change!

[bakaKanadajin]

I don't think a social revolution alone would change things. A lot of the Japanese social ethos has remained unchanged for years. In general their way of life has always been one of patriarchy, stoic perseverance and a need to not inconvenience other people or bring 'shame' to their situaiton. There are some ills that go along with their unique cultural ideals, but if anything, I'd say the reason they're able to keep going in this day and age with such a low crime rate and strong economy relative to other modern nations is because of some of these very characteristics.

So why is there sudden disillusionment, why is their way of life suddenly causing them such trouble? It's corrupt government, an increasing amount of technological diversions, more stressed out workers who need to unwind after work, and a general widening of the poverty gap, (which is an emerging trend globally, it's not just happening in Japan,) that are causing these problems. People everywhere are becoming less concerned for one another and more concerned with filling in their bottom line and satisfying themselves. I would like to see the things that make Japanese culture beautiful stay strong however. I would definitely support some kind of push towards more community oriented values. I just don't think its the complete solution.

[D-San]

I think that a lot doesn't get done to approach issues that ruin the institution of the family. Sex education is shunned in schools and vanity is becoming a way of life. There will always be people who stick to tradition, but at the current rate Japan seems like it will be a nation of "immature" sociopaths with no real purpose in life or interest in the betterment of society as a whole.

[Tokis-Phoenix]

When you say you think it would be better for japanaese people to put more emphasis on family values in their day to day lives, what sort of "family values" are we talking about here ???

[Free_Radical]

First of all, thank you for this post. My primary motivation for subscribing to this forum was to find evidence of a Japanese ‘cultural revolution’ & radical thinking. Tokis, you're quite right, we are aware of the social problems and that seismic changes are needed; but what sort of society do we yearn for? And how do you suggest we get there?

I believe in the power of literature and art. Why? Because when a society and its culture loose its way then what is needed is for a counter-culture to challenge the status-quo.

Conventions need to be violated, systems need to be broken, & minds need to be emancipated. A revolution needs its proponents. Writers, musicians, scientists, economists etc are required to articulate the suffrage of the people and envisage an alternative future.

In other words, a movement is needed to unify & organise the literati.

Can I invite you to comment on my thread on this topic in which I've chucked some thoughts into the fire.

The danm link doesn't work..... If you go to the Economy forum, the post is called: Investment in the Arts.... where is it?

[Murs]

Thats weird, I keep reading how some are staved of s*x, but then I read people do it more than bunny rabbits. I just don't know, but are there any stats on this? from what i've heard teenage pregnancy is growing but still low which is funny when you consider that theres no s*x education (D-san's post).