During October, I was watching a TV show called “Shin-Jyoushiki” which means new common sense in Japanese. And they were talking about how the Japanese Men are acting and wanting to look like as women. For example, some men started putting on makeup and wearing skirts. And some men do plastic surgery to change their eyes and lips like an idol. These acts of wanting to be like women by the men are increasing in Japan and some Japanese sociologist said that in the future, all men will be like women.
On the other hand, there are men who starting to talk at a high tone of voice like women. Why do they do this? Especially men who have a job through the phone service, wants to talk in a high tone because it sounds nicer towards the customer than thick and low. There is even a school that teaches such voice called “Ryousei-rui” which is the term when men talks in a women’s voice of tone.
Such things are done by men, especially men working for customer service, because they think that their looks and sound of manliness will scare off female customers. Having a deep voice might scare customers over the phone, so men try to speak at a nicer tone for service. And the looks of a man is changing by changing their eyes by making it wider, so it won’t look like he is glaring at the opponent.
Like such examples, Japanese men are falling off from the gender norm. In the past, men acting like women were not normal. However, such norm is changing slightly every time and changing in how people act. I still cannot believe that Japan is changing into such country, but I’m sure that not all people will become like it. For sure, I will not be one of them, because I have no way in adapting to such idea. I’m fine looking at men becoming like women, because it will not have an effect on me. However, I’m worried about women that how they would feel about this, because I have an image that most women would want to love a man who is manly more than women like men. Anyways, if there are any others updates on this topic, I would like to search on it and let people know about it.
by Cody Ueda
JAPANsociology 
Nice issue you brought up Cody!
Before I went to Japan, I used to asked a lot of senpai who studied here about the their life in Japan. And I like to asked if they like any Japanese guy. And usually, their answer is “No! Japanese guy is not manly. They’re kinda very girlish and that’s just….ew.” And I’d be like “what? really?” And when I came here, yeah, I see what they meant. Compares to Japan, in my country, men definitely do not wear jeans tighter than girls. And they definitely will never wear legging! So yeah, the first time I saw guys wearing those thing, I was speechless. And then there’s the whole issue of pink shoes that I wanna buy but suddenly the sign said its for men, and the increasing number of 草食男子 with their makeups and stuff…seriously, what happened to Japanese guys really?
In a sense, the changes have their advantages I guess. Guys kinda take care of their appearance more. And that makes them look smart. But wearing skirts and makeup? now, that’s just too much. Talking softly is ok but in softer girly voice? Err dont please.
I always wonder why the line between male and females in Japan is so blurry and why Japanese somehow are much more lenient about it compares to other races. Could it be that they tries to carter to female need for sensitive, loving guy but end up exaggerating it a lil too much? Or are they doing that because their sexual orientation is leaning to the gay-side that’s why they dress femininely? Or is this only a phase and they turn up just fine and manly after their age reach 30-40ish?
So much question and curiosity.
this is an issue i’ve read about time and again since i came to Japan.men acting like sissies or just behaving like women. at first i did think that it was gay and disturbing but when i got to learn about gender in class,i started to support what they were doing.who says men cant talk in a soft voice,who says men cant wear skinny jeans and tight shirts if they want to? to be honest, i am tired of the same old stereotypes of masculinity and femininity.why should other people tell you how to act? and this is not only happening in japan.in the u.s..wearing skinny jeans is becoming a trend with male teenagers..heck, i even used to wear them in high school.the thing is,people are beginning to see past this whole gender thing aand i support it!!!!!
thats all!
🙂