A Quiet Cultural Shift in Japan
I hesitated before choosing this title,
but I decided to write honestly and clearly about what I believe.
What I am describing here is what is happening in Japan.
I am not claiming this reflects the entire world.
It has been more than ten years since smartphones became widespread.
Life has certainly become more convenient,
but at the same time, pornography has become incredibly easy to access.
With nothing more than an internet connection,
even children can reach it.
Japan has long had a relatively permissive attitude toward sexual culture.
It is rarely discussed openly,
but adult entertainment businesses are widespread,
and until recently, adult magazines were commonly sold in convenience stores.
Among young people, the word “virgin” is often treated as something shameful.
This, too, reflects part of that cultural background.
On top of this existing environment,
the smartphone—a powerful and ever-present tool—was introduced.
As a result, sexuality became even more accessible,
and pornography and masturbation have come to feel
“normal” for many young people in Japan.
Why Doesn’t Society Address This Issue or Talk About Its Harm?
I am currently in my thirties,
and since my twenties—when smartphones became part of everyday life—
I have felt a growing discomfort about this issue.
My question has been simple:
Why is something so addictive hardly treated as a problem at all?
Japan has many forms of gambling.
Because of their addictive nature, age restrictions exist,
and documentaries frequently show how people’s lives have been destroyed by pachinko and similar activities.
But what about pornography?
As far as I know,
it is rarely discussed seriously on television or in major media outlets.
In recent years, many Western countries have begun introducing stricter laws regarding pornography.
That alone suggests the underlying problems are significant.
And yet, in Japan, there has been almost no movement.
Japan and the United States are among the world’s largest producers of pornography.
It is also true that some people overseas associate Japan with sexual extremeness.
I have no concrete evidence,
but I sometimes wonder whether these realities create an atmosphere
where negative aspects are intentionally avoided or downplayed.
How Harmful Is It, Really?
Personally, I believe there are very few things as addictive as this.
When someone watches pornography,
a large amount of dopamine is released in the brain.
Once the brain becomes accustomed to that level of stimulation,
it begins to seek even stronger stimuli.
What makes this especially dangerous
is how little effort it requires.
Because pleasure can be obtained instantly and effortlessly,
the brain gradually becomes unsatisfied
with activities that truly enrich life—
such as studying, exercising, or reading.
I believe this is a deeply troubling phenomenon
that slowly erodes society from within.
The term “herbivore men” is often used in Japan.
I cannot help but wonder whether pornography and masturbation
play at least some role in this trend.
The increasing feminization of Japanese men
may also be connected to these factors.
In recent years, I have even heard of university students
who became so absorbed in pornography
that they failed to advance academically and were forced to drop out.
If free content is used
to maximize viewing time and create addiction for profit,
it is difficult to call such a system healthy.
A Personal Experience
I would also like to address masturbation.
When I was in junior high school,
I once engaged in it before baseball practice.
I remember being completely unable to focus afterward.
My body felt heavy, and even running was difficult.
People often say,
“If you don’t ejaculate, your risk of prostate cancer increases.”
However, what research shows is correlation, not proven causation.
Despite this, such claims are often repeated without nuance.
That, too, leaves me uneasy.
A Reality Rarely Discussed Even in Church
This issue is rarely addressed in churches as well.
At least, I have never heard it discussed in the church I attend.
It is certainly not an easy topic to speak about openly.
However, as more and more young people struggle with this addiction worldwide,
failing to call what is wrong wrong
only increases the number of lives quietly damaged.
I myself struggled with this issue for many years.
I could not bring myself to speak honestly about it in church,
so I researched and suffered alone.
By chance, I came across people on YouTube
who shared how quitting changed their lives,
and that helped me greatly.
Still, I often wish
there had been someone in the church
I could have spoken to safely and honestly.
I sincerely hope this issue will no longer be treated as a taboo,
but addressed directly and compassionately within the church.
Freedom From This Issue Is Essential for a Richer Life
As I have said repeatedly,
this issue is highly addictive,
yet it is barely recognized as a problem by society.
Addiction numbs a person’s conscience and reason
and leads to irreversible personal and social loss.
The Bible says:
Romans 12:2
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
1 John 2:15–16
“Do not love the world or anything in the world.”
If the world says,
“This issue is not a big deal,”
I do not believe we should accept that uncritically.
Because what lies ahead is not life,
but a quiet and gradual destruction.
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