The Revolutionary Alliance of Unpopular Men, a Japanese group known for its anti-Christmas protests, cancelled its annual “Smash Christmas” demonstration due to a failure to submit the necessary paperwork. For 17 years, the group, which considers itself a support network for unpopular men, has protested on Christmas Eve against what it sees as a commercially driven, romantic holiday. This year’s cancellation comes despite plans for future protests targeting Valentine’s Day, Halloween, and White Day, reflecting the group’s broader opposition to societal norms and classism. The group’s origins stem from the founder’s personal rejection and subsequent belief that unpopularity is a class struggle.
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The news headlines scream with alarming figures, “Japanese population falls by record 861,237”. It’s a stark reality that is hard to ignore. The falling birth rates, coupled with the aging population, paint a grim picture for the future of Japan. The birth rate now stands at a mere 1.30, while South Korea’s is even lower at 0.70. The trajectory indicates that South Korea’s population could shrink by half by the end of the century if this trend persists. As someone living in Japan with a Japanese wife, the idea of starting a family is a daunting prospect. It’s not about money or living situations, but rather the toxic work culture that pervades the country.… Continue reading
Marriage rates are up and divorce rates are down, new data shows. This statement may seem contradictory at first glance, but when we delve deeper into the reasons behind this trend, it starts to make more sense. The traditional narrative of high divorce rates and failed marriages seems to be changing, and as someone who has witnessed the impact of divorce in my own life, I find this shift quite intriguing.
The data released by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics paints an interesting picture. While the marriage rate took a dip in 2020, possibly due to the uncertainties brought on by the pandemic, it began to climb back up in the following years.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker