7% of Japanese Have No Friends
- Categories: Japan, News
- Date: Oct 29, 2009 12:36 JST
- Tags: Bizarre, Hikikomori, Internet, Otaku, Relationships, Ronery, Statistics
There is some surprise at the results of a survey which suggest as many as 6.7% of Japanese questioned have no friends at all…
The survey, with over 13,000 participants, found 6.7% of respondents had no friends at all, whilst 22.2% had 3-4, 20.6% had 5-6, and 23.8% had over 11.
Friends were mostly made at high school (55.4%) and at work (52.4%), as well as at university (38.1%) and middle and elementary school (34.1%/24.3%), with hobby related connections trailing at 25.1%. 8% came from online acquaintances.
Curiously, 17.1% of respondents stated they found such relationships “troublesome”…
Similar figures for other countries are not hard to come by – 2003 Gallup polls of Americans asked “Not counting your relatives, about how many close friends would you say you have?” yielded an average of 8.6 friends:
0 – 2%
1 – 6%
2 – 8%
3 – 11%
4 – 11%
5 – 17%
6-9 – 18%
10+ – 27%
Whether a “close friend” equates to a “tomodachi” in Japanese culture is open to question (as is whether Japanese actually agree on what a “friend” is), but it certainly seems the social circles of some Japanese are shrinking… Just how many of these are actual hikikomori and otaku is not known.
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I see the social conection attitude in Japan is just fine
the only problem is sadistic money starving bitches xD
Friend
a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard.
I don't have any of those either. I have hundreds of people who follow me around, many who share the same interests and enjoy eachother's company, and large group that I get along with and spend time with.
None even match that definition. There is a point where you get too fucking cool to have friends because everybody but you pretty much sucks.
Which brings us to the point that, with an attitude like that, you wouldn't get any friends even if you tried.
Will those hundreds of people who follow him around still do so when he gets out of prison?
I LOLed soo fucking hard. ^^
lol pwnt. :P
Otaku's friends are the anime...
Don't bullshit me. You know exactly what I'm talking about. I'm cooler and more handsome than everybody so I don't have anybody to play Xbox with like you might all day Anon.
You're 11, right?
more like 8
Male jealousy. The most easily ignited phenomenon. Tell me more about how you wish you were as amazing as I am.
One word: Narcissist.
Nothing wrong with that IMHO, they're just honest enough to admit it.
I have plenty of friends (I'm in high school), but honestly I prefer to be by myself alot of the time as well. I somehow doubt that the majority of friendless Japanese are bereft of friends because they prefer to be alone though.
People are shallow, real friendship is hard to come by, so if these people are in such a situation, I don't think it's such a bad thing to reject others.
Don't mind me, just a little nihilistic rambling.
i dont think i got any true close friends... i have friends... but none that are truly close... you kinda lose contact after you travel around, and when you meet up it just becomes a "hey, how have you been"
its once said, in a guys life, if he ever has 1 'true' friend, hes doing good,
you all think you have best friends, but only time will tell
I couldnt agree more! wise words have been spoken folks
Man that made me feel depressed and hopeless, thanks for breaking my denial bubble.
Your comment sounds a bit narcissistic to me.
Now the real question is, how many of those "friends" these people consider actually treat them as friends in return? How many of those people are delusional?
I was sure that this figure would be higher.
Either that or a good percentage didn't want to click the zero option.
so otakus dont consider each other friends?
Otakus don't need friends. They have waifus.
A cat is fine too.
Maybe even better.
Hard Gay is fine too.
Hard Gay?! o.O
No.... just..... no.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMt3aEy5PS4
Do you mean this "hard gay"? I'd definitely get along with someone like him.
オケー。 ホーーー！
maybe a cat waifu
＿＿＿_
／∧∧:::／＼
／|￣￣￣|＼／
|＿＿＿|／
∧∧＿__
／( ﾟｰﾟ):::／＼
／|￣￣￣ |＼／
|＿＿＿_|／
∧∧＿__
／( ﾟｰﾟ):::／＼
／|￣UU￣|＼／
|＿＿＿_|／
___∧∧ ／￣￣￣￣￣￣
～′（（ ( ﾟｰﾟ) ＜ I bet u didn't expect that !
UU||￣UU ＼＿＿＿＿＿＿
＿||＿＿
／::::::||::::／＼
／|￣￣￣ |＼／
|＿＿＿_|／
Some fuckbuddies are nice, though...
Who needs friends anyway?
You can buy one at a 1/7 scale at Akihabara and it will be your friend for eternity!
Or extend your love to dakimuras....=)
Friends are annoying they take your time of watching anime by phoning you or wanting favors.
Actually you can watch anime together with friends.
That's hard. First they have to like anime. Second they have to like the same anime. And third there is a big possibility that you will just end up talking shit and be unable to really watch carefully.
Usually when is something i like and i want to give it my full attention i prefer watching it alone.
I wish I had female friends. We could watch Hentai together.
FEMALE FRIENDS DO NOT WORK THAT WAY.
True story, RopeXPantsu know shit about females.
Untrue.
You need:
a) A girl you can watch anime with. These are not hard to -find- at all, the questionable part is how many of them make good girlfriends.
b) Have a relationship with girl a) that is relaxed enough that you'd also watch porn together. I never did that before, but I'm told by several (sometimes married) couples that they do watch porn.
c) Combine a) + b)
d) ???
e) Profit!
i hope online friends weren't counted... it's just so sad being alone o__o
OF COURSE ONLINE FRIENDS COUNT.
I guess Myspace, Facebook, etc. isn't popular in Japan or internet friends didn't count.
(for the record social networking sites suck)
i think net friend isnt count.and i agree with ur () statement
I think some net friends can count if you know them long enough and make a bond. I had met someone while playing Starcraft and we've been friends since, I consider him one of my best friends in regards to even real life friends.
Wrong, the second you start relying on the internet, you should just unplug and fucking get a life
Not if you are going out for drinks, or to ball games, or movies, or even hooking up.
It depends on what you do with people you "meet" online.
"Wrong, the second you start relying on the internet, you should just unplug and fucking get a life"
Define life.
"Define life."
Something that HARDKOAR obviously doesn't have.
Well, you see, Life is often displayed on the HUD of your screen, usually found on the bottom of your screen, as a number between 0 and 100. In recent games however, there is a lack of this number, and instead, you simply have a set amount of health that can regenerate.
I love you so much right now hudabigbadwolf, if I could +1 you any harder I would.
Facepalm and Emospace aren't worth the time, Palmtop.
What you have is a bunch of faggots and squeeing fangirls.... y'know what? Scratch that: They're all faggots. I've actually tried an Emospace account... and was less than thrilled with the results. Messages from people wanting me to check out the fucking bands they're interested, or the band they're actually with. There's not enough time in any given day to answer them all, and they wind up going away in a tiff when you take too long to reply. Fucking duchebags.
Granted, not everyone at those sites are like that, but your mileage will often vary.
To be honest, I found it more worthwhile to crank up one of my games, like Princess Waltz or The Sagara Family, than blogging in general. If anyone wants to get and maintain a close circle of internet friends at one of those types of places, hell.... knock yourselves out. :)
As for me? I'll be eagerly awaiting the arrival of Al-Azif when Demonbane finally comes to the shores of the US. ^^
I have over 70 people on my Facebook, yet only 4 or 5 of those I would call 'friend'.
I think 'social networking' tools cheapen friendship these days. They inflate everyone's self-importance by ensuring your daily mundane UNINTERESTING life can be advertised to anyone.
OMG.what the heck?its must be lonely?lonelier than having no GF.
Well, now we know who is desperate in the comments section.
its u isnt it?try to act like not desperate in his harem world
It's probably not just a Japanese problem. I'd bet a small percentage of adults in every country have no friends. These would probably be the night shift security guards who work alone, go home in the day and sleep into the afternoon.
Or just really fucking unfriendly.
I prefer working at night..
What they're referring to is probably "close friends" some people are just cynical by nature and trust nobody else but themselves.
you cannot trust in all the people
I distrust my friends less than I distrust most people.
Familiarity breeds contempt.
7% of people need to get together.
Is the ball in the friend?
My Facebook tells me I have 200+ "Friends" only because I know a lot of people, but that doesn't classify them as being my friends. I don't even consider most of them friends.
If I took this poll, I'd probably say somewhere around 3-4 but I doubt it'll be higher. Either that or I really can't count.
Out of the Facebook/Myspace/Friendster list of "friends", if you look for those you would consider "nakama" or "aibo", how many would be left?
8.6 friends, 8 friends and a torso with head.
I would be their friend. Too bad they're on the other side of the planet.
except THEY do not want YOU as their friend. Get it?
That rate seems low. The population of severely mentally ill, violent criminals and Pokémon fans should push the percentage up.
No, the mentally ill and violent criminals have friends, too.
I couldn't say about Pokemon fans, though.
I'm told Pokemon fans sometimes get together in occult rituals.
Is this qualified as 'friendship'?
Ritsu is trying to obtain some delicious cake in the opening pic.
I have no friends, but lots of best friends : ).
that's what really counts.
not the 400+ social network "friends" you have met before, but never talk to anymore. besties are for keeps.
As a psychologist/therapist told me...
"There is a huge difference between friends and acquaintances"
In this case, Social Network friends are neither
Social network friends are just people you choose to associate yourself with by choose, not necessarily by convenience, most likely because you share similar values, opinions etc.
Most people only associate themselves with rl people around them because of geographical convenience, so in the scope of things, I don't think talking over the web to be bad...but when you consider people you have never met to be close friends, seek help.
I don't see a problem being alone. I guess it really depends on what kind of a person one is.
Hikkikomori represent
Yeah, let's have a meeting! But, it should be on-line.
no. it should be an off-line meeting. We'll go to my private island and do something
Be sure and don't forget your signal flares and whatever you do, leave behind the fucking coordinates for where you were last headed.
Or it'll be an Amelia Earhart moment for you, boyo.
I don't have friends either. I had friends in highschool but we lost touch. I barely talk to anyone in college. And even after I've talked to some people, I wouldn't count them as anything more than acquaintances. The only people that I would consider calling my friends right now, are the people from sancon. They're the closest things to friends that I have.
Read this lucky star doujin [http://www.mediafire.com/?ytngko0wyga] if your finding it difficult to fit in, in a new environment.
btw, I don't like the thought of having a lot of friends. I'd rather have a close knit group of friends(maybe 1 or 2) that I can depend on rather than a bunch of loosely related associates.
Although it is probably frowned upon, I agree with you. Having a few friends who you can relate to and who show actual sincerity are far more valuable than people you associate yourself with because of situational convenience.
Looking back, I think that making friends in school is rather easy since you see each other every day. When you start going to university, it's like the last chance because people don't know each other and everybody is looking for someone to work together with. But after a year, the groups of friends have taken shape and if you're still left out, it will become harder to make new friends.
i would be there friend! ^__^
add a 1 on there list
who wouldn't want to have an anonymous friend, right? ;)
Wow they might as well not trust the AV Industry.
But they have so many wives.
I actually have two actual friends whom I talk two but out of those two one I actually hang out with. Thing is I don't talk much or like invite them out to chill or anything I'm always waiting for them. So yeah I am pretty lonely.
Hm we seem to have a lot in common. We should be "friends" lol. No really I only have 2 friends too and I only hang out with one of them and I too always wait for them to want to do something with me. Well it is lonely but I don't want to interrupt their lives just so I can feel like someone likes me.
lol My god you really are like me the reason why I don't call them is cuz I don't want to be rejected. Hell even then I don't want to annoy them or anything but even then if we do go out just seems so boring sometimes.
Hah, same here. I've still got a handful of close friends from HS, but none here in college. I joked with them about how troublesome it is to try and chill (outside of class) with people, it'd essentially be like "asking a guy out" (erm, me being a guy).
I'm not exactly lonely, having plenty fun here as it is (Internet, HS friends, games), though I guess it'd be even better with friends nearby.
Lonely, I'm Mr. Lonely,
I have nobody for my own.
I'm so lonely, I'm Mr. Lonely,
wish I had someone to call on the phone.
Roneryyy, I am so roneryyy... ^^
A friend will help you move.
A really good friend will help you move a body.
Mafia is your best friend?
But....it says to the right of the article in an add that I have a friend in japan. So if i got those 7% of people to read that, would they also have a friend?
OP pic is so lovely..
That's just pitiful. Japan is surely doomed if these surveys are correct.
that picture is freaking creepy as hell.
creepy?
That is a depiction of my dreams coming true!
Even more reason for you, good sir, to stay on the meds the doctors prescribed for you.
Well i dont realy have Friends, and i dont care. Life sucks anyway its just waiting for your Time to die
7% is not a big number.
I expect bigger number from all the otaku. Internet friends doesn't count. Otaku all like to go to anime forum.
everyone want to be like the lonely guy
It can't be helped.
frends are just a stone in the shoe
Begin alone is only natural.
I had over 50 friends on my young days (10~30), after 30 they get married, somes go overseas, somes even die, etc, etc, and you ending alone.
Life is sad, you will realize that after 30 or so years.
This is why you ending married if you cannot stand alone (complex?). :P
Ronery to the maxXx.
I have absolutely 0 friends :(
Hmmm...I don't see my comment. Maybe it didn't make it past the moderator. Just in case, long story short. I don't have friends irl. Closest thing I have to friends is the bonds I've formed here at sancon.
the number of friends i have can be counted with just 2 fingers well at least based at anon 13.57 defination
I had a friend once... but I married her. Now I have no friends anymore, just hers. wife != friend :(
I'm all up for that.
Friends are gay and suck ass and maybe a little dick.
Something tells me your friends are all from prison...
No friends... ;_;
i have heaps of friends, but i hate them all...
You never really realise if you had a friend until they are not there anymore.
I had a friend once who I hang out with everyday and we enjoyed our time together just joking around and doing foolish stuff. I never realised that he was my best friend and the only person I can call a friend until I left my country and never got the chance to communicate anymore.
It is a very sad thing to realise that you have a friend when they are gone.
omg, same situation here. though it was 6 years ago, he went to USA and i stayed. we had a little fuss over something as well so our goodbyes didnt happen. ;(
What is a "friend" anyway?It's too vague.
as long as he/she is not the type of friend that comes to you when he/she needs help and when you need help you can't find he/she anywhere. Put me on the no friend list ;P used to have alot and something changed, now i feel so tired to socialize so i try to avoid. though i still works along side people, just that when the job is done we goes our separate ways.
Your social battery ran out...
I'm so gonna leaving cakes in front of my computer
Hmmm... Japanese need to get in tune with reality though the fiction world is cool. I have nearly 450 friends in which at least 100 were constant in contact. I meet and talk to not less than 20 ppl in a day on average. Now... this makes me wonder about the survey...
Anyone who brags about having A LOT of friends, not about having GOOD friends, is a faggot.
>"I am a virgin with little friends and must invest in a drawn women."
Another teenager that thinks the people in facebook are real friends.
No one has any actual friends. Friendship is a fairy tale, and Walt Disney is dead.
I thought he was just frozen.
Only 7%?
Iam too now i feel so tired to socialize
yaay.. im not alone in the world with no friends! bet im one of the 0.3% without friends or so in my country
Oh come on, it's only 7%. I bet it's no different from any other countries.
You're lying to yourself.
Hey, 23.8 have over 11, so yea.
over 11 via mmorpg, so what is it? korean mmo or weatern moo? perhap facebook. also i wouldnt describe a 'friends' that you only see when theres a party call but almost impossible to see them out of it.
If you really do have a friends, you wont need to think how many you have. because when you think of the words friends their faces are the one that first comes to mind. atleast this is the case for me and i only 2 faces come to my mind, sadly i already parted with them. but the good times we had is worth remembering.
Probably is the reason why there is a relatively high suicide rate in Japan...
They should gather the 7% and get them to talk to each other. NOW EVERYBODYS HAPPY!
I have 3 best friends but two of them went to study a bit far so i can only communicate with them online or meet sometimes at weekends, well at least my best friend lives 100 meters away from me.but it still sucks, cos at my college in my group there r no my alter ego ppl(dotn know if its the right word), anw sometimes it rly sucks to be alone and play x360 or watch anime and stuff all day long.
if people wouldn't be thinking only about themselves, real friendship would exist.
But that's not the case...
That being said I have no "true" friends.
I don't like how loosely the word "friend" is thrown around. A friend isn't a classmate/co-worker/random person you see often.
The article picture reminds me of that motivational poster that says "Real women are easily replacable"
Hmmm, well even people with "no" friends still have family, my sister is like the closest person to me, and then I have like 1 or 2 other true friends.
only 7%, which is a good thing. Rather than 70% O_o
You dont need friends if you have anime XD
Well at least I have something in common with 7% of Japan :)
Breaking news, new studies have shown that at least 7% of Japanese have enever been on the internet.
why would they need friends anyway when they have soo many anime characters, dakimura, doujinshi, ero games, lolis etc
X% of Japanese Need No Friends.
Sad story is sad.
No wonder Japan is trying so hard to make android waifu's.
Oh yes, the Japanese need Friend (with capital "F").
Friend will save you!
Not surprising considering the nature of the society.
Work and family responsibilities come first..
People are not totally honest with each other..
Emotions are hidden..
As a westerner I have 3-4 friends in my life who are REAL friends.. the rest are friends for now but would drift away as circumstances change.
I gave up having friends. Apparently people only hung out with me because I was good at hustling. :l I didn't mind teaching them but they rather mooch off of me. D:<
All people who dont have friends;
Come with me. We will have a bright future.
I accept everyone,who can look at my eyes!
Have a pure heart, trust yourself!
You are great! You CAN find friends!
Big BW
Making friends from scratch is too much hassle. And with age people tend to be more insincere and keep distance themselves.