In Japan, a recent publication by author Toianna has caught the public's attention by addressing a growing social phenomenon: the “weak men”. According to his book titled “The Age of 15 Million Weak Men”, one in eight Japanese men 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 uniformly 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 million yen (about US$ 8 thousand). In fact, one in every hundred Japanese subsists on less than 210 yen a day (about $1). These changes have given rise to a growing group of men who, despite their efforts, are unable to improve their economic or social situation.

The notion of “weak men” includes those who may not be perceived as such at first glance. For example, a man with a high income may be considered a “strong man”, but if he is trapped in an abusive relationship that leaves him without financial autonomy, can also be considered weak. This category is not just a quantitative label, but a way of recognizing the many ways in which men can 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 “poor, ugly old men.”. This derogatory term, popularized on social media in 2015, highlighted the social stigma against 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 up to 15.04 million “weak men” in Japanwhich represents approximately 24% of the male population. A survey of over 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 other people.

Despite the growing 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 lower on the scale of public sympathy.

In conclusion, The growing discussion of “weak men” in Japan points to an urgent need to reconsider how various forms of vulnerability are understood and supported in society. This topic is not only relevant to men, but also offers a critical perspective on social expectations and empathy for 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 it strange?».
• «Is the general opinion “let them say whatever they want”?».
• «If you wrote “old, ugly and poor women”, they would say it was sexist, but with men it is allowed. What a superficial article.».
• «The crime rate is overwhelmingly different. If we exclude petty crimes, violent crimes are hundreds of times more common in men. It is normal for people with a minimum of intelligence to be more wary of men than of women.».
• «Japanese ineptitude is not limited to one in eight».
• «Maybe it's because my face looks so bad, but in recent years it's common for me to wait five minutes at the supermarket checkout and no one shows up.».
• «Dumb women are only interested in Johnny's idols or hosts. They should thank us for keeping us away from them.».
• «Especially among men, the term “otaku” has been changed to “autism spectrum disorder.”».
• «I'm a woman, but I see that half of the men have mild autism spectrum disorder. Not to put them down, but it's like, "How come they don't get this?" I'm amazed at their lack of understanding and limited vision.».
• «I am a bald, unemployed man who has never had a relationship. I come from the world without showering so my body odor is strong.».
• «Don't they realize that this kind of discussion is discriminatory?».
• «There are no strong people anywhere! All humanity is weak! …you and I are weak too!».
• «There are more weak men, more strong women and more people with indefinite gender».
• «Of course, the dating world is a place full of people who are not popular. If you ask anyone involved in the dating world, they will tell you that most people are weak men.».
• «What about women over 30 who aren't even seen by men who aren't popular?».

Source: Yaraon!