Loyalty tests are not just a thing in Western countries. It also exists in Asia. And rumor has it that the Japanese are okay with it.
But, are they really?
The Jdrama “ You want me to steal you” is based on the manga of the same name by Jun Miyaguchi and Umesuzu. The television drama was released in 2023, directed by Ayaka Kato and Shinya Nagano.
You will not realize until the last episodes why Naoya is being targeted seductively by Noa, a new co-worker at the same company. Naoya, although friendly, keeps distance from Noa , remaining faithful to his wife.
Naoya never learns that this is a loyalty test ordered by his wife, or the fact she was unfaithful, unlike him.
As soon as Noa completes her mission. she disappears into the dark
The drama shows up in japanese entertainment in a time where a stereotype has been formed about Cheating Culture in Japan being part of their society.
There have been perspectives outside of Asia to either perceive Asia as bad guys or the weirdos. It isn’t different from Japan. Most of these perspectives were born from generational behaviour that precedes the second world war, where there was huge propaganda about the other side of battle being the bad guys.
For Asia, including Japan, the people are no different for others around the world in some ways. This cheating culture sounds more like an elaborate scheme to justify ill-behaviour to avoid separation, break-up and divorce.
Actually, only a small fraction are okay with this. Either because they cheat, or they are trapped in discrimination generational behaviour against women. It doesn’t seem fair to me to call a generation lacking morals, when only a small fraction does it or accepts. It would be the same as comparing the USA and assuming the full country lives like an MTV reality show with brainless talks.
In Japan, some only realize the mistake from discrimination generational behavior against women, once they were victims or had an impact on their personal life.
In the drama, Noa has the behavior of a knowledgeable hostess. We also have a representation of the “girlfriend experience”, we can often hear from the media about Japanese Host clubs or soap houses. Most of the girls and boys caught providing these services were trapped in an endless cycle of debt to force them into “working” for money.
Don’t get this exposure of this reality in social media to misinterpret the reality.
Prostitution is illegal , however , its definition has been changing in the last decades. Like any intercourse with strangers or just in case if there is penetration.
Although, buying and selling sex is illegal, the ban is more restricted to penetration. And the punishment is more focused on the seller and not the buyer.
An Historical perspective:
Immediately after World War II, the Recreation and Amusement Association was created by Naruhiko Higashikuni’s government to organize brothels for the Allied armed forces in Japan. The reason was to mitigate the rape cases, like a 12-year-old in Okinawa, by an American soldier. On August 19, 1945, the Home Ministry directed local governments to establish a prostitution service for soldiers to maintain the “purity” of the Japanese race. This system closely resembled the comfort women system, with police mobilizing both licensed and unlicensed prostitutes to serve in designated areas.
That period of history was dark.There were rapes from all sides even dead soldiers bodies profanation. No country was innocent. No country is innocent.
Any victim of sexual crimes should look for Justice and try to make governmental statements such as implement new laws. The age of consent was moved to 16 years old, in 2023, thanks to the efforts of the population for coming together to call out for greater protection of children and women. The previous age of consent was 13 years old. It was among the lowest in the world and it had remained untouched for over a century.
Things can actually change when everyone moves together as a unit
If anyone that reads this post is a victim, I ask you to make a choice.
Stay safe and enjoy your day…
It’s hard to move and to leave, but there is always a way to improve your life.
Here are some references for you to read
How Japanese Street Interviews Are Fake | 3 Misconceptions About Cheating Culture In Japan
What is Cheating Culture in Japan Really Like? – Gaijinpot
Rising sex tourism exposes loopholes in Japan’s anti-prostitution law – The Japan Times
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/10/06/japan/society/japan-sex-tourism
How Japan’s host clubs trap young women under mountains of debt – The Japan Times
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/12/26/japan/society/host-club-pay-later-system-prostitution
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