Japan's Herbivore Men | 日本草食男

by Timothy Laird

Times are changing for men in Japan.

传统的日本男性定位已备受挑战。

In Japan, a new kind of man, known as the "herbivore male," has recently been the center of media attention. _(1)_ Unlike their fathers and grandfathers, herbivore males are much less interested in personal success or their careers and are mainly concerned with fashion and their own looks. The term draws on the concept of vegetarians not eating meat because herbivore males seem to lack interest in women. _(2)_ In general, herbivore males tend to avoid entering into marriage or serious relationships with women. Mainly in their 20s or 30s, herbivore males are steadily becoming mainstream.

Herbivore men live in a world very different from their parents. _(3)_ The poor economy means lower starting salaries and a constant threat of unemployment. _(4)_ Economic insecurity makes traditional values, such as marriage, family, and corporate loyalty, all seem meaningless to these men.

Some are worried about the emergence of herbivore males, while others feel it might be a good thing. Back during Japan's post-war era, when its economy was good, males were known as workaholics and sexists. _(5)_ Maybe this generation of herbivore males can prove to be better partners in the long run.

(A) However, this doesn't necessarily mean they are gay.

(B) At work, they were devoted employees, but at home, they could be terrible husbands.

(C) As a result, many young people nowadays resort to living with their parents as long as they can.

(D) The term was coined by a columnist to describe a group of men who seem to bear no resemblance to the stereotypes of Japanese men being overworked salary-men or fierce warriors.

(E) The traditional notion of masculinity in Japan has undergone a great change over the past 20 years due to the declining economy and the rise of women in the workplace.

在日本，一种名叫『草食男』的新新人类最近成为媒体关注的焦点。这个词汇是由一位专栏作家所创，用来描述和过去日本辛勤工作的上班族、或勇猛的武士等刻板印象完全不同的一群男子。不同于他们的父亲或祖父，『草食男』对个人成就或事业生涯兴趣缺缺，主要关心时尚和自我外貌。这个词同时取自素食主义者不吃肉的概念，因为『草食男』似乎对女性不感兴趣。然而，这并不意味他们一定是同性恋。一般来说，他们倾向避开婚姻或和女性深入交往。他们绝大多数是二、三十岁的男性，而他们也逐渐成为社会的主流。

『草食男』和他们的父母亲生活在截然不同的世界。过去 20 年来，由于经济衰退和女性在职场的崛起，日本传统男子气概的观念历经重大的转变。衰败的经济意味较低的起薪和时时存在的失业威胁。因此，只要有可能的话，现在很多年轻人会一直和父母亲住在一起。对这些年轻人来说，经济不稳定导致诸如婚姻、家庭以及对公司忠诚等传统价值观变得毫无意义可言。

有些人担心『草食男』的崛起，但也有些人觉得这或许是种好现象。在战后日本经济的黄金时期，日本男性有着工作狂和性别歧视者的名声。职场上，他们是尽忠职守的员工，但在家里，他们可能是糟糕的丈夫。长远观之，或许『草食男』世代会被证明是较好的婚姻伴侣。

答案：  1. (D)　2. (A)　3. (E)　4. (C)　5. (B)

For Your Information

日本 20 多至 30 出头的男女中，出现所谓的『草食男』以及『肉食女』的新名词。『草食男』在衣食无虞的时代中成长，养成不会主动争取的习惯，此外眼见日本泡沫经济，对于未来较为消极且不怀抱任何期待。反观『肉食女』的出现，则可归因于景气恶化、男性日益『草食化』，女性不得不积极采取行动，展开求爱大作战。（数据源：自由电子报）