Based on the literatures about herbivore men there are three major areas of Japanese society affected by their emergence: economy family and gender. From this point on I will attempt to provide a thorough discussion about each of these areas.
I. Economic Impact
In an article written by Mr. Kyojiro Kagenuma entitled Grass Fed 2 "Herbivore Men and Japan’s Troubling Economy he described the role of herbivore men in the economic growth of Japan". According to Mr. Kagenuma the average Herbivore man can earn 6 million Yen annually; after income tax, this would yield 3.6 million Yen or $36,000 net, which amounts to 300,000 Yen or $3000 monthly. Deduct monthly cost of living at the outskirts of Tokyo, which is 120,000 Yen, the Herbivore Man will still have a disposable income of 180,000 Yen, or $1800 - about 5 times more disposable income than if he was married.
From this statement alone we can directly observe the vital role of herbivore men in the Japanese economy. If herbivore men have five times more disposal income than that of married men then it only goes to show that they have five times more purchasing and saving capacity than married men. In relation to this they have that much power in contributing to their country’s economic progress.
Given this kind of situation wherein herbivore men may be considered richer than an average Japanese married man then we may even say that herbivore men have become primary consumers and may even be prioritized in the market. Mr. Kagenuma added that In fact though Japan's marketplace has traditionally catered to women the herbivore men are becoming a growing consumer market in Japan with many products that are specifically designed for them. If this trend continues then we should see a shift in purchasing power from women to men. What this would do is create new products and services that are uniquely male-oriented just as video games had been uniquely male for the best part of 30 years.
I think that herbivore men have a positive and significant impact to Japan’s economy. Not only do these herbivores created new market opportunities but they also shifted the market priorities from one gender group to another. They became major players as consumers and in the process; help sustain the harmonious economic balance of their country.
II. The Crash of Kazoku
Kazoku is the Japanese word for family. As we know family is the basic unit of a community. But with the emergence of herbivore men a drastic decrease in the Japanese population has been reported. In a way this has been greatly attributed to the existence of herbivore men. A study by Mr. Eric Gallager entitled Explanations for the "Japanese Demographic Crisis presented the populace of Japan". Mr. Gallager reported that in 2011 Japan’s population declined by over 200,000 people. Besides a declining population other elements of Japan’s demographic crisis include a rise in number of grown children still living at home with their parents a drop in marriage and child-bearing and a drop in the average number of siblings per person. This may simply imply that there are fewer families established because of the influence of these Japanese herbivores.
Let us find out why.
Columnist Joel Kotkin’s article entitled "Beware the Herbivore Effect" discussed how herbivore men are responsible for the decrease in Japan’s population. According to him One indication of this breakdown in family ties has been a gradual loss of interest in marriage among men. By 2010 a third of Japanese women entering their 30s were single as were roughly one in five of those entering their 40s. That's roughly eight times the percentage in 1960 and twice that in 2000. By 2030 almost one in three Japanese males may be unmarried by age 50. At this rate Japan will most likely decline not only in population but in many aspects of their society. In the long run the country itself won’t be able to sustain and preserve their culture and heritage if this trend continues. Mr. Kotkin even added that,Herbivores it appears are less likely to marry. The herbivorization of Japan can't be good news in a country that suffers from a plunging marriage rate a declining workforce and a fertility rate so low that adult diapers outsell those for babies.
I believe that herbivore men’s effect on Japan’s population is more threatening than another World War. The real effect of this trend may take time before we can finally feel its impact. But worst case scenario is Japan may suffer a great loss in so many aspects that recovering may be next to impossible.
III. Masculinity Redefined
In my previous blogposts masculinity has always been a part of the issues revolving around herbivore men. Now allow me to discuss how these herbivores truly affect and redefined masculinity in Japan.
As I have mentioned before Japan had a strict culture of gender: branding men and women as carnivores and herbivores respectively. Prof. Masahiro Morioka’s article entitled "A Real Study of Japanese Herbivore Men, categorized Japanese men into eight types based on their level of aggressiveness in approaching women."
The Eight Types of Japanese Men
1.Inexperienced herbivore man doesn’t know how to approach women.
2.Experienced herbivore man a soothing type. He is used to interacting with women. He does not have high expectations when it comes to women.
3.Inexperienced carnivore-type man he doesn’t have much experience so he will push a woman doggedly. Internally, he is frustrated and suffering.
4. Experienced carnivore-type man While probing a woman’s feelings, he attempts to seduce her even when it seems impossible. He constantly tries to chat with women.
5.Inexperienced internally herbivore, externally carnivore-type man a herbivore man who is trying to be manly.
6.Experienced internally herbivore, externally carnivore-type man while he is a herbivore with a sensitive heart, he is able to assertively take the lead and make sure a woman enjoys herself. He keeps his partners for a long time.
7.Inexperienced internally carnivore-type, externally herbivore man wears a herbivore mask to conceal his carnivore nature. He may suddenly attack a woman when she is alone.
8. Experienced internally carnivore-type, internally herbivore man has a wild ferocity in his heart but is able to sensitively pay attention to a woman’s feelings and treat her gently. He does not mind having relationships with multiple women.
Based on Prof. Morioka’s assessment on Japanese men, herbivore men have truly reconstructed how masculinity is seen in Japan. With their emergence, there became a need to reconstruct the views about men in relation to love, relationship, and family. From the conventional powerful and aggressive males, Japan realized that there may be variations to this sex group; hence, the eight types of Japanese men. Each type is unique and mutually exclusive from the others. The sense of real manliness has always been a critical issue about herbivore men. But I think that in a so-called, “gender-equal society,” these herbivores proved that they can co-exist with others in harmony.
IV. Perspective
The three aspects that I have presented above are only some of the impacts of herbivore men. The list could go on and on but we can still not exhaust it. What is more interesting about them is the dynamics that they have as this new breed of men is still a work in progress.
I believe that it is truly a matter of outlook as to how we accept the effects of these herbivores. We can see it negatively or we can opt to look at the silver lining. I think that what is more important is the way we deal with these effects and how we turn them into something beneficial. Let us always remember that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. So it is up to us if we will consider these herbivore men beautiful or not.
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