Exploring Asexuality in Japan: Insights from the Ace Arrow Survey 2020
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- History of Asexuality in Japan
- Recognition of Asexuality in Japan
- Efforts to Increase Visibility in Japan
- Formation of Nijirogako
- Terminology in Asexuality in Japan
- Definition of Asexuality in Japan
- Non-Sexual and Non-Sexual in Japan
- Public Awareness of Asexuality in Japan
- Increase in Public Awareness
- Confusion Among the Public
- Herbivore Men and Social Gay in Japan
- The Ace Arrow Survey 2020
- Overview of the Survey
- Promotion and Participants
- Comparison with Ace Community Survey 2016
- Demographics of Survey Respondents
- Age Demographics
- Gender Demographics
- Romantic Orientation of Respondents
- Comparison with Ace Community Survey
- Identity Data on Romantic Orientation
- Sexual Orientation of Respondents
- Data on Sexual Orientation
- Romantic and Sexual Orientation Combinations
- Main Combinations of Orientations
- Use of the Term "Non-Sexual"
- Usage and Understanding of the Term
- Desire for Relationships
- Desire for Relationships based on Romantic Orientation
- Aromantic and Romantic Desires for Relationships
- Sexual Desire and Thoughts on Sexual Activity
- Sexual Desire among Asexuals and Sexual Individuals
- Thoughts on Sexual Activity among Different Orientations
- Touch Aversion
- Aversion to Touch among Asexual Individuals
- Response to Non-Sexual Touch
- Desire for a Partner or Close Group
- Desire for a Partner or Close-Knit Group
- Proportions of Desires
- Difficulties and Hardships
- Anxiety and Uneasiness from Being Aromantic or Asexual
- Difficulties in Relationships and Unpleasant Remarks
- A Selection of Participant Comments
- Conclusion and Contact Information
Asexual and Aromantic Spectrum in Japan: Insights from the Ace Arrow Survey 2020
Asexuality, a sexual orientation characterized by the lack of sexual attraction, is gaining recognition and visibility in Japan. In this article, we will explore the history of asexuality in Japan, terminology used in the context of asexuality, public awareness, and insights from the Ace Arrow Survey 2020.
Introduction
Asexuality, the absence of sexual attraction, is a valid sexual orientation that exists in Japan. Despite the focus on romantic attraction in discussions about asexuality in Japan, there is a growing awareness and understanding of asexuality as a distinct orientation. This article aims to shed light on various aspects of asexuality in Japan, including its history, terminology, public awareness, and survey data.
History of Asexuality in Japan
Recognition of Asexuality in Japan
The recognition of asexuality in Japan can be traced back to around 2002, largely influenced by discussions and conversations in English-speaking countries. The Asexual Visibility and Education Network (AVEN) played a crucial role in increasing conversations about asexuality globally. In Japan, individual efforts were made to raise recognition and visibility, leading to the formation of Nijirogako in 2016.
Efforts to Increase Visibility in Japan
Nijirogako, which translates to "Rainbow School," is a registered non-profit organization (NPO) in Japan aiming to raise awareness about asexuality, aromanticism, non-binary identities, and more. They produce educational content, participate in LGBTQ-related events such as Tokyo Rainbow Pride, and organize discussion sessions and group mixer events for asexual and aromantic individuals. Nijirogako also organizes the annual Ace Week Japan and Aro Week Japan events to foster a sense of community among asexual and aromantic people.
Formation of Nijirogako
The founder of Nijirogako, Haruka, played a pivotal role in starting conversations about asexuality and forming a platform for education and support in Japan. Through Nijirogako, efforts to increase public awareness and understanding of asexuality have been ongoing.
Terminology in Asexuality in Japan
In Japan, the terminology and definitions related to asexuality can be different from those in English-speaking countries. The term "asexual" in Japan can encompass individuals who do not experience sexual or romantic attraction, which corresponds to "romantic asexual" in many English-speaking countries. On the other hand, "non-sexual" or "non-sexual" refers to individuals who experience romantic attraction but not sexual attraction.
It is important to note that the meaning of asexual in Japan can vary depending on the individual and their chosen definition. The use of these terms is still evolving, making it crucial to consider the context and the individual's understanding when discussing asexuality in Japan.
Public Awareness of Asexuality in Japan
In recent years, public awareness of asexuality in Japan has been steadily increasing. Some news articles featuring discussions about asexuality by notable individuals have contributed to this growing awareness. However, there is still some confusion among the general public regarding the terminology and understanding of asexuality.
The term "herbivore men" or "soshoku danshi" gained recognition in Japan to describe cisgender, heterosexual men who either choose abstinence or struggle with relationships. Similarly, terms like "social gay" or "soshoku kudansai" have been discussed in relation to the declining birth rate in Japan. While these terms have gained more general recognition in society than asexuality, it is essential to differentiate between them as they focus on behavior and choices rather than sexual or romantic attraction.
The Ace Arrow Survey 2020
The Ace Arrow Survey 2020, conducted from June 1st to June 30th, aimed to gather data on asexual and aromantic individuals in Japan. The survey was promoted through organization websites like Nijirogako, as well as communication platforms such as Twitter and Line (a popular chatting app in Japan).
The survey received a total of 1685 valid responses, making it the largest survey of asexuality in Japan to date. It provided valuable insights into the demographics and experiences of asexual and aromantic individuals in the country. To better understand the data, a comparison was made with the Ace Community Survey 2016, an English-language international survey of asexual and aromantic people.
Demographics of Survey Respondents
The survey revealed interesting demographic trends among the respondents. In terms of age, the median age of participants in the Ace Arrow Survey 2020 was 25, while the Ace Community Survey 2016 had a median age of 21. The age range for the Ace Arrow Survey was 13 to 63, compared to 13 to 75 for the Ace Community Survey.
In terms of gender, the Ace Arrow Survey 2020 had around 68% women, 6% men, and 26% identifying as other genders. In comparison, the Ace Community Survey 2016 had around 63% women, 11% men, and 26% identifying as other genders.
Despite differences in language and location, the demographics of the two surveys show some similarities, indicating a relatively consistent representation of asexual and aromantic individuals.
Romantic Orientation of Respondents
The survey data provided insights into the romantic orientation of the respondents. Aromantic individuals constituted the majority of respondents, followed by romantic individuals and demiromantic individuals. However, when compared to the Ace Community Survey, the proportion of aromantic respondents in Japan was significantly higher.
The data highlights that the majority of asexual individuals in Japan identify as aromantic. Other romantic orientations, such as biromantic, panromantic, homoromantic, or heteroromantic, were less commonly reported.
Furthermore, a significant portion of respondents identified as questioning their romantic orientation, indicating a level of exploration and self-discovery among asexual and aromantic individuals in Japan.
Sexual Orientation of Respondents
The survey also collected data on the sexual orientation of respondents. The majority, around 66%, identified as asexual, with smaller percentages identifying as gray sexual, demisexual, and other orientations. The proportions of asexual, gray sexual, and demisexual individuals were similar to the findings in the Ace Community Survey. However, the proportion of individuals identifying as questioning in the Ace Arrow Survey was significantly less.
The data suggests that individuals identifying as asexual, gray sexual, and demisexual constitute a considerable portion of the asexual and aromantic spectrum in Japan.
Romantic and Sexual Orientation Combinations
The survey explored the various combinations of romantic and sexual orientations among the respondents. The combination of aromantic asexual was the most common, followed by romantic asexual and aromantic sexual (not asexual, but aromantic). This further emphasizes the prevalence of aromantic individuals within the asexual spectrum in Japan.
The data provides valuable insights into the diverse experiences and identities within the asexual and aromantic community in Japan.
Use of the Term "Non-Sexual"
At the beginning of the presentation, the term "non-sexual" was mentioned as a term used in Japan to refer to romantic asexual individuals. The survey data revealed that a majority of romantic asexual individuals in Japan use the term "non-sexual." However, some respondents either do not use the term or are unfamiliar with it.
The usage of the term "non-sexual" is not universal, and its understanding may vary among individuals. The evolving nature of terminology underscores the importance of clear communication and context when discussing asexuality in Japan.
Desire for Relationships
The survey examined the desire for relationships based on romantic orientation. Among aromantic respondents, the majority expressed little to no desire for a relationship. In contrast, most romantic respondents expressed some desire for a relationship. Individuals with other orientations, such as demi-romantic or gray romantic, tended to lean towards not desiring a relationship.
These findings indicate that while a significant number of asexual and aromantic individuals in Japan do not desire a relationship, there are still many who seek a special romantic connection with someone.
Sexual Desire and Thoughts on Sexual Activity
The survey data shed light on sexual desire and thoughts on sexual activity among different orientations. Approximately 65% of asexual individuals reported experiencing some degree of sexual desire, with higher proportions among other orientations. These findings demonstrate that identification with asexuality in Japan does not necessarily correlate with a lack of sexual desire.
Regarding thoughts on sexual activity, the majority of asexual individuals reported not having thoughts about sexual activity with others. On the other hand, sexual individuals mostly had such thoughts, while those with other orientations fell somewhere in between. This distinction further affirms that asexual individuals generally do not experience sexual attraction, although some may still have thoughts related to sexual activity.
Touch Aversion
The survey data addressed touch aversion among asexual individuals. While a few respondents expressed aversion to even casual touches like shaking hands, many reported no repulsion to touch, including non-sexual touch such as hugging or holding hands. This challenges the misconception that being asexual automatically equates to being averse to touch, including potentially sexual touch like kissing.
The findings highlight the diversity of experiences and preferences regarding touch within the asexual community in Japan.
Desire for a Partner or Close Group
The survey investigated the desire for a partner or a close-knit group among asexual and aromantic individuals. The data revealed a significant number of respondents expressing a desire for a partner or partners, indicating that many asexual and aromantic individuals in Japan still seek meaningful and special relationships. However, it is worth noting that 25% of respondents expressed no desire for either a partner or a close-knit group.
These findings reflect the varied and individualistic desires within the asexual and aromantic community in Japan.
Difficulties and Hardships
The survey delved into the difficulties and hardships faced by asexual and aromantic individuals in Japan. Approximately 50% of respondents reported experiencing anxiety or uneasiness from living as an asexual or aromantic person. Furthermore, around 27% of respondents encountered difficulties in relationships due to their asexuality, and approximately 26% faced unpleasant remarks or questions regarding their orientation.
Participant comments highlighted the challenges related to societal misconceptions, negative attitudes, and difficulties in navigating relationships. These comments underscore the need for further education and awareness to foster a more inclusive and understanding society.
Conclusion
The Ace Arrow Survey 2020 provided valuable insights into the demographics and experiences of asexual and aromantic individuals in Japan. The survey data emphasized the prevalence of aromantic individuals within the asexual spectrum in Japan, and the various combinations of romantic and sexual orientations present within the community.
While public awareness of asexuality is growing in Japan, there is still a need for continued education and understanding. Recognizing the diverse experiences and challenges faced by asexual and aromantic individuals is essential for creating a more inclusive society.
For further information or any inquiries, you can directly contact Nijirogako at info@nijicole.com or on Twitter at @niji_cole. For English-language inquiries, please reach out to Tedra at elliott.tedra@gmail.com.
Complete survey data is available at the following URL: [URL] (Note: Currently only available in Japanese)
Highlights
- Asexuality is gaining recognition and visibility in Japan.
- Nijirogako, a registered NPO, is dedicated to raising awareness about asexuality and related identities in Japan.
- The meaning of the term "asexual" in Japan can differ from its usage in English-speaking countries.
- Public awareness of asexuality is increasing in Japan, but confusion still exists.
- The Ace Arrow Survey 2020 provided insights into the demographics and experiences of asexual and aromantic individuals in Japan.
- The survey revealed similarities in demographics compared to the Ace Community Survey 2016.
- Aromantic individuals constitute a significant proportion of respondents in Japan.
- The term "non-sexual" is commonly used by romantic asexual individuals in Japan.
- Desire for relationships varies based on romantic orientation.
- Asexual individuals can still experience sexual desire to some extent.
- Asexual individuals generally do not experience sexual attraction or have thoughts about sexual activity.
- Touch aversion is not universally experienced among asexual individuals.
- Many asexual and aromantic individuals in Japan desire a special relationship or partnership.
- Difficulties and hardships faced by asexual and aromantic individuals include relationship challenges and unpleasant remarks.
- Continued education and awareness are needed to foster a more inclusive society.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is asexuality?
A: Asexuality is a sexual orientation characterized by the lack of sexual attraction.
Q: How is asexuality recognized in Japan?
A: Asexuality started gaining recognition in Japan around 2002, influenced by discussions in English-speaking countries.
Q: What is the role of Nijirogako in raising awareness about asexuality in Japan?
A: Nijirogako, a registered NPO, aims to raise awareness about asexuality, aromanticism, non-binary identities, and more in Japan through educational content, events, and support groups.
Q: Are there differences in terminology related to asexuality in Japan compared to English-speaking countries?
A: Yes, the meaning of the term "asexual" can differ, and the term "non-sexual" is commonly used in Japan to refer to romantic asexual individuals.
Q: What challenges do asexual and aromantic individuals face in Japan?
A: Difficulties include relationship challenges, dealing with unpleasant remarks or questions, and societal misconceptions about asexuality.
Q: How can I learn more about asexuality in Japan?
A: For more information, you can directly contact Nijirogako or the English-language group Ace Spec Japan.
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