“Anti-Sex Beds” Myth and Stereotypes Overshadow Bigger Issues in Japan
Following the Tokyo Olympics online from abroad has stirred a wave of social media myths, with one of the most popular being the so-called “anti-sex beds.” Made from cardboard, these beds were rumored to be a preventive measure against athlete interactions, sparking countless memes and jokes. In reality, the beds were designed back in 2019 as part of Tokyo’s eco-friendly initiative, intended to be fully recyclable, not restrictive.
In Japan, however, the focus has been far from such myths. Issues like the recent firing of the Olympics’ opening ceremony director over offensive past jokes and concerns over Covid-19 transmission have sparked deeper conversations. With Tokyo reporting nearly 2,000 daily Covid-19 cases and only around 23% of the population fully vaccinated at the time, local concerns are more pressing. The slow vaccination rollout and the majority of Japanese people opposing the Olympics reflect a much more complex picture than the online chatter around Olympic “anti-sex beds.”
For those in Japan, misconceptions spread by social media humor add to stereotypes that paint the country as a bizarre place detached from reality. This narrative, while entertaining to some, can inadvertently reduce Japanese culture and society to a novelty, overlooking the concerns and daily lives of its people.
