Wow. That article is crap, and not because of the poor translation. Anyone have the time to translate the actual source, which is Yahoo! Japan, or at least a better understanding of what is being said?

Also, here is something I found searching for the researcher's name: http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/adv/wol/dy/opinion/society_081201.htm

Meh, better off than me, I actually yelled out at work When Hicks posted it looks like Rin when it was obviously Da Capo's Nemu...

Thank goodness it was lunch and there were no doctors or patients in the office.

It does bring to mind though - what if they'd interviewed the guy riding on the train, what would he have said, his opinion could have been interesting to hear.

It sure is a serious mental condition. Their even creating a pill for it.

What a load of garbage I chose to not have a relationship with anyone, so...ya

let me ask you something; why would you not want human companionship? it's instilled in our very genes to desire companionship...i think a majority of people act like they're ok with being alone because they don't know how to talk to girls/guys and are socially awkward, when in reality, they actually DO want it..not all, mind you, but a lot are definitely like that..

Erm, nowhere did the OP or most (cannot say all since I didn't read all comments) did anyone say they didn't want human companionship, romantic or otherwise. All that's been said by many is they prefer being a bachelor.

Not everyone is in the mood for settling down any time soon, others are not the settling down type.

Being Japanese could be considered a mental illness to an Westerner. Just sayin'.

"While I do agree that covering up one's desire for companionship does lead to heavy hearts, not everyone is able to easily find a member of the opposite six that's right for them. Saying you don't want a girlfriend (or boyfriend) could be the only way to cope." - That is insane. Not being able to get something you want, and then claiming you "don't really want it" is called denial, and it's not good.

Being asixual is fine.
Recognizing that your current situation isn't well-suited towards having a girlfriend is fine.
Being happy with your lone self is fantastic.

But actually wanting something, and then pretending that you don't want it is a form of denial.

I think the guy is just being misrepresented. He appears to be talking about a very specific group of people, not every single person who hasn't put "girlfriend" under their "looking for" section on Facebook.

this

all in good time

I don't wanna be mentally ill because I like my me time

Indeed. Considering the cultural differences, i don't think a study about japanese made by japanese applies as is to western countries.

I'd like to see what the actual illness is, because it seems mental illnesses are being so broadly interpreted nowadays to push pills or engage in behavioural engineering that any behaviour not seen as desirable is concurrently being called an illness in that context right along side actual concerning illnesses. Maybe calling stupid ass things an illness should be considered an illness.

I think it already is, called human thinking.

IDK, actually "wanting" a girlfriend makes you seem kinda desperate. I'd prefer to just let it happen naturally. When the time comes, it will come.

I don't think this is a problem unique to Kotaku. News sites in general, including highly respected ones, put across horrible and distorted views of "science" every time they use phrases like 'researchers say' or 'a study has shown'. As you can see http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/adv/wol/dy/opinion/society_081201.htm (at the bottom of the page), this guy is a political scientist, not a doctor or psychologist. That means regardless of whether or not he actually said what Kotaku claims (maybe it was mistranslated, maybe not) he nevertheless has no authority to declare what is and is not a mental illness.

You know, I read this thread, I didnt think about it anymore and then when I lie in my bed at night, suddenly I think of that picture of that guy holding his pillows in the subway.
I had to look at it again the next day to make sure I wasnt exaggerating it in my mind.
I feel so sorry for that guy.
He looks lonely and scared.
Poor guy.

I felt the same. Really sad picture.

One of my favourite newspaper columns is BadScience by Ben Goldacre in which he regularly comes up with examples of media organisations, companies, governments etc misusing statistics, misrepresenting research etc
Unfortunately it makes it hard for the layman to know how seriously to take things. I can usually see through misuse of statistics and I know some of the phrases to look out for that mean its likely you're reading an article of dubious value but when it comes to (for example) the merits of GM crops I don't have the scientific knowledge to make a considered judgement myself

edit: and on the subject of wanting to be single being a sign of mental illness, nonsense
dozens of possible reasons for it, many of them perfectly logical

He looks lonely and scared to you? I think there's some projection going on here, because I see someone who's really bored.

He looks lonely, scared and pathetic to me. And while I MAY be pathetic it's for entirely different reasons...

After reading this article, I think I need to invest in a hug pillow.

Im afraid thats not projection but a lack of perception on your part.

Notice how the shape of the eyebrows tends towards a slight inverted U, notice how the eyes are focusing on anything apart from other people, notice how the shape of the mouth is weak, notice the shoulders, the grip the man has on his pillows..

Im really sorry, but it is obvious the man is terrified.*
Desensification due to exposure of being in that train I assume not for the first time nonetheless, just look at his eyes.

* And probably needs real help.

Can't see it. He's holding a pillow with a girl on it...maybe he's one of those people who loves objects more than other humans.

Im actually a bit perturbed. Its one of those things I thought everyone did, but now I know I was wrong.
Not everyone can see beyond the first layer.

Is that good or bad, and more importantly, am I a freak for noticing things and looking for the angle?