All language subtitles for Love and Sex in Japan (2015)

(slow paced music)

- [Narrator] In Tokyo,
the Japanese government is

increasingly worried
about the future

of the country and its people.

In the past 30 years,
the number of marriages

has fallen by 30%.

But Naoko has, nevertheless,
decided to tie the knot.

- [Narrator] With the
package that you've chosen,

you can design a custom bouquet.

You can select the
flowers you want.

- [Narrator] At just 29
years old, Naoko is thrilled

at the idea of
living a fairy tale.

She has opted for a
Western-style ceremony

for her dream wedding.

- [Translator] I've
loved planning it all.

(Naoko speaking
foreign language)

Tomorrow is the big day.

- [Narrator] To make sure
everything is perfect,

Naoko is assisted by
professional wedding
planner, Yukiko.

- [Narrator] You're so cute,
that looks amazing on you.

(woman speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] This is
an empire-style dress.

It's like something
from Napoleon's time.

- [Narrator] But although
this may look like preparation

for an ordinary
wedding, in reality,

it is not quite so.

As the young woman
has no fiancé.

(Naoko speaking
foreign language)

- [Narrator] Yes,
I completely forgot

to look for a boyfriend.

- [Narrator] In fact,
Naoko is going to

get married on her own.

In Japan, they call
this a 'solo wedding'.

It was Yukiko who
invented solo weddings

just over a year
ago and since then

she has had hundreds of clients.

(woman speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] At the beginning,
I had a 34 year old employee

who had no plans to get married

and yet who had wanted
nothing more than to wear

a wedding dress since
she was a little girl.

She was quite upset at the idea

that that was never
going to happen.

And one day she confided in
me that she would really like

to have the opportunity
to dress like a bride

and she asked me to
organize that for her.

- [Narrator] Naoko also
wanted to live out her

dream wedding experience,
all while remaining single.

- [Narrator] Marriage is a
life choice among others.

I don't know yet if I
want to get married or not

or if I want to live
with someone or not.

- [Narrator] For the
tidy sum of 2400 euros,

the solo wedding
service lasts 24 hours.

It includes a wedding
dress fitting,

a visit to a make-up
artist, a hair stylist,

a florist and ends
with a photo shoot.

- [Narrator] Look at
the camera please!

- [Narrator] The goal
is obviously to capture

this unique moment.

(Naoko speaking
foreign language)

- [Narrator] I'm not sad
at all to not have a groom.

- [Narrator] Are you happy?

- [Narrator] Yes, I'm
having an amazing time!

- [Narrator] The agency
was created a year ago

and has already organized
over a hundred solo weddings.

Each time, Yukiko
offers the young women

an actor to play the
role of the groom.

But all of them refused
the presence of a man.

In Japan, love is under threat,

there are less and less couples
and the birth rate is low.

The country is losing
its population at a rate

of around 200,000 people a year.

According to experts, 30%
of the country's population

could disappear by 2060.

(man speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] I think that today,

men are financially
very stressed.

With the financial crisis,

they no longer have the
courage to start a family.

- [Narrator] In addition
to economic worries,

in the land of tamagotchis,
the virtual pet.

Real feelings and carnal
pleasures no longer

have their place.

A quarter of Japanese 30 to
40 year olds are virgins.

How old are you?

- [Narrator] I'm 24 years old.

- [Narrator] Have
you ever had sex?

- [Narrator] No.

- [Narrator] Inoué is a geek.

He and his friends
have abandoned sex.

They prefer manga heroines
to girls of their own age.

(long haired male
speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] Ahhh,
that's brilliant!

- [Narrator] In the
land of the rising sun,

50% of Japanese people admit
to not having regular sex.

Do you prefer sex without
love or love without sex?

- [Narrator] Love without sex.

- [Narrator] Me too.

- [Narrator] Oh yes, me too!

- [Narrator] Paradoxically,
Japan is also the world's

biggest producer of
pornographic films.

30,000 pornos are
shot each year.

But here also, the sex crisis
has had its consequences.

There is a lack of actors.

Pornstar, Shimiken,
sounds the alarm.

(male speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] There are only
2000 Bengal tigers left

in the world and
we are like them,

an endangered species.

- [Narrator] Men and women
are gradually growing more

and more distant
and no longer know

how to go about
seducing each other.

How long have you
been single for?

(woman speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] 5 long years.

- [Narrator] To vanquish
their inhibitions,

there are courses
preparing singletons

to say this simple "I love you".

Kamazawa is going
to try his luck.

(male speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] If we
laugh and have fun,

girls will come
to us, right guys?

- [Narrator] Julien is French.

He plays matchmaker at
fancy dress parties.

His credo,
Franco-Japanese couples.

And the results are there.

- Thank you for coming Julien!

- [Narrator] With a subdued
or even solo sexuality

and a birthrate under threat,

we investigate the disturbing
precursor that is Japan,

a potential warning of
the world of tomorrow.

In Tokyo, with a population
of over 13 million,

you would think it was
easy to find a soulmate.

However, among the
city's young people,

the love crisis is such
that it has given rise

to some startling
new businesses.

Take rental boyfriends,
for example.

Taro started up his
company three years ago

and his turnover is
increasing month by month.

(male speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] When you are
a woman who is very busy

with work, when you don't
have the time to meet someone

or when you haven't had a
relationship with a man,

well, thanks to our service,

you can experience the
pleasure of being with someone.

- [Narrator] In actual fact,
sex is strictly prohibited.

The rental boyfriend simply
helps the woman to have a

good time and to overcome
her shyness around men.

- [Narrator] You can
choose the rental boyfriend

who fits your taste by
looking at his profile.

You can see what he looks like

and also discover
his personality.

(upbeat music)

- [Narrator] And the
star of the show is Riku.

This is Shinjuku, one of
the Tokyo's lively areas,

and it is here that Riku
waits for the client

who has booked him
for this afternoon.

Yui reserved him online.

It is not the first time that
they have seen each other

but she is still very nervous.

(male speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] So today,
shall we go to Shinjuku Park

and we can see the
cherry blossom together.

You seem a bit tense.

It's been a little while
since we last saw each other.

Wait, I'll move
to the other side.

(upbeat music)

- [Narrator] Riku's
first mission,

to play the perfect boyfriend,
even holding her hand,

an action that is
rather daring in Japan.

But Yui wants to get
used to contact with men.

She has paid 120 euros
for two hours of practice.

After taking a selfie,
as young lovers would do,

they share an ice cream.

And as the professional
that he is,

Riku feigns maximum complicity.

(Riku speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] Let
me taste a little.

It's 100 times better when
you've licked it before.

It's thanks to you
that we have sun today.

- [Narrator] No, I
often bring rain.

- [Narrator] Yui wants to
know what it feels like

to have a boyfriend,
because at 24 years old,

she has never had one.

- [Narrator] I go out
with Riku once a month.

(Riku speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] Yes, that's right.

- [Narrator] And today
is the third time.

Because I don't usually
go out with boys.

I hope to always have
a nice time with him.

- [Narrator] As well
as his role as actor,

Riku also coaches his
clients in seduction.

- [Narrator] Basically,
when we go out together,

it's true that we hold hands

but it's very important
that we also talk a lot.

- [Narrator] I especially
consult him about love.

- [Narrator] Yes, particularly.

- [Narrator] I'm not
really used to men

so I ask him how
I should behave,

what attitude I should
have if I meet someone.

- [Narrator] The young
couple leave the park

and head for some
light entertainment,

invented in Japan and
very popular throughout
Asia, karaoke.

And it is only finally
with this last activity

that Yui relaxes a little.

(Riku sings in foreign language)

(Yui sings in foreign language)

(Yui speaks in foreign language)

- [Narrator] When we're
together, I'm really happy

and I hope to meet
someone like Riku.

But it's difficult to find.

(Riku speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] But you were
telling me the other day about

someone that you met at work.

You couldn't talk to him.

- [Narrator] Yes, that's true.

- [Narrator] And so,
what happened after?

- [Narrator] It
was the other day,

and there was the
whole office team.

- [Narrator] And?

- [Narrator] We all went out
together and he was there.

Coincidentally, he
was right next to me

and I managed to talk
to him a little bit.

(Riku speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] That's great!

That means you've
made great progress.

Well done, I'm proud of you.

(upbeat music)

- [Narrator] It's the end
of the session for Riku.

Mission accomplished.

Yui leaves happy and relaxed.

She's ready to consider
what appeared to her

inconceivable just
a few weeks earlier.

To dare to talk to a boy
that she doesn't know.

Unless by then, she falls
in love with her therapist.

(upbeat music)

(upbeat jingling)

In Tokyo, there are armies
of young men up for rent.

There are those who, like Riku,

play the role of
public boyfriend

and those who work in
bars to make conversation

with lonely women.

The establishments even use
them as their selling point.

But is it a problem of
time, modesty or fear?

According to a recent study,
more than half of non-married

Japanese people do not have
friends of the opposite sex.

Inoué is 24 years old.

Like Yui, he has never
had a relationship.

And for him, women
are a mystery.

He is therefore going to try out

this new kind of establishment.

(male in red hat speaks
foreign language)

- [Narrator] Welcome,
I'll see you through.

- [Narrator] Tinkerbell is
what is called a cuddle café.

A lounge where you can
pay to spend a few minutes

in the arms of a young woman.

- [Narrator] Please
take off your shoes.

- [Narrator] Dozens of small
alcoves welcome the clients

who are prepared to
spend large sums of money

for a short moment of comfort.

Here, you pay 60 euros an hour

just to lie down
next to a hostess.

And the bill can quickly add up.

You have to pay 8 more euros

for her to hold you in
her arms for 3 minutes.

Or 16 euros for her to simply
rest her head on your lap.

- [Narrator] Hello,
nice to meet you!

- [Narrator] Hello!

- [Narrator] This is Fuki, she
will be taking care of Inoué.

Here, minutes mean money so
her timer is never far away.

(woman speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] From now,
we have 60 minutes.

Take a look at our services.

- [Narrator] I'm
spoiled for choice.

- [Narrator] Head on lap
is 1,000 yen for 3 minutes.

- [Narrator] Ok, but I'm
not sure I will be able to.

- [Narrator] Of course you
can, don't be hard on yourself,

everyone can do it.

- [Narrator] The young woman
eventually conquers Inoué's

shyness, as he then opts
for a triple package.

- [Narrator] What would
you like to start with?

Head in arms?

Head in lap?

Or the massage?

- [Narrator] Maybe
with the massage.

- [Narrator] Of
course, turn this way.

- [Narrator] There is
no physical contact,

the massage is
done over clothes,

nevertheless Inoué
seems spellbound.

But when it is time for him to
put his head in Fuki's lap...

- [Narrator] Place
your head here.

- [Narrator] The young
man's uneasiness returns.

- [Narrator] Where
should I put my head?

- [Narrator] Wherever you
want, anything is fine.

- [Narrator] Reassured
by the young woman,

Inoué finally lets himself
slip into conversation.

- [Narrator] When I
was in high school,

I started to like
Hatchan, the singer.

- [Narrator] But why are
girls fans of female singers?

What do you actually like?

Is it watching a cute girl?

Or the atmosphere
of the concert?

- [Narrator] I like it all.

They're really entertaining.

More entertaining
than a boy band!

- [Narrator] After
one hour of cuddles,

Inoue seems to have developed
a taste for female contact.

(Inoue speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] How do I feel?

In fact, it was very nice.

Until now, I had never thought
to do something like this.

But contrary to what I imagined,
real girls are not so bad.

I really liked it!

More than I would have thought!

- [Narrator] The
cuddle cafe not only

welcomes virgins like Inoué.

Fuki also looks after
many Japanese men

who have no one to talk to.

(Fuki speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] The people
who come here are people

who have problems and
who can't talk about them

with their colleagues,
their superiors,

not even to their friends.

Or it's one of those who want
to meet a girl dressed up

as a heroine character, like me.

- [Narrator] However it's
not a question of satisfying

their fantasies, the
establishment is not a brothel.

(male speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] Before
entering the room,

the customer is
informed of the rules.

So incidents are very rare.

- [Narrator] It's the
end of the session.

Inoué is finally allowed
his long-awaited cuddle,

a few seconds of embrace.

(Fuki speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] You'd prefer to
stay seated for the hug, no?

So, come on then.

Thank you.

- [Narrator] Thank
you very much.

- [Narrator] I am very
happy to have met you.

- [Narrator] Me too,
I had a great time,

thank you very much.

- [Narrator] Thank you,
see you soon I hope.

- [Narrator] If,
at 24 years old,

Inoué does not
have a girlfriend,

it's because he is a
geek who prefers heroines

from video games
to real-life women.

- [Narrator] With real girls,
(speaks in foreign language)

I don't know what
they're thinking.

They could lie, while
smiling sweetly.

And with their friends,
behind my back,

they could criticize me.

Whereas, girls in video
games would never betray me.

Because it's men who
create the games.

They've invented
their ideal women.

- [Narrator] When he is not
working in a call center,

he lives in a 15
square meter apartment,

where he spends hours
in front of a screen.

And this lifestyle
suits him very well.

(speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] I don't
really feel the urge

to be in love or to get married.

I can't even imagine it.

I prefer being alone

and spending my time playing
video games or reading manga

so I don't really
look to the future.

(upbeat music)

- [Narrator] This afternoon,

Inoue meets up with his friends.

They also have never
had girlfriends.

(men speak foreign language)

- [Narrator] Hey guys!

How's it going?

(upbeat music)

- [Narrator] Their favorite
neighborhood is Akihabara.

A place of worship for
Japan's many manga fans,

video game
enthusiasts and geeks.

Everything on offer here

seems straight out
of another world.

There are bars that
offer trips back in time.

(woman in long dress
speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] Here.

- [Narrator] What is it?

(Inoue speaks foreign language)

A cafe with waitresses from the

early 20th Century Taisho era.

- [Narrator] Thank you.

- [Narrator] But
even more surprising.

(woman speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] We are one
of the first lounges

to set up here 9 years ago.

We offer ear-cleaning services.

(man in black speaks
foreign language)

- [Narrator] Oh really?

You clean our ears?

- [Narrator] Come in, come
in, you will be well received.

- [Narrator] The only girls
they regularly spend time with

are the characters
in the game centers.

Here, you can play
across six floors,

from 10 o'clock in the
morning to midnight,

seven days a week.

The three boys are in
love with these women

with supernatural
powers like Samus Aran,

an intergalactic bounty
hunter or Linoa Heartilly,

the mixed beauty from
the game, Final Fantasy.

(men speak foreign language)

- [Narrator] These girls
come from the imagination.

There are no girls
like that in real life

because no one can have
supernatural powers like that.

- [Narrator] If you are looking
for a girl with magic powers

you're not going to
find her in reality.

- [Narrator] But I want a
girl with supernatural powers.

- [Narrator] One of
Inoue's favorite shops

is this one here.

A realm of fantasy for geeks.

They sell pornographic
magazines.

But as the women of their
dreams do not exist,

they are drawn and portrayed
in these very erotic manga.

The young geeks don't
know where to start.

(long haired man speaks
foreign language)

- [Narrator]
Breasts to infinity.

- [Narrator] What
does 'infinity' mean?

- [Narrator] Unlimited breasts!

- [Narrator] That
I see, but, okay.

(man with long hair
speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] It's insane.

Really crazy.

It's great, amazing.

- [Narrator] In this
district, everything has been

thought of for young
people to indulge

their virtual erotic desires.

In the building just next door,

seven floors dedicated to
sex and to solo-pleasure.

Here is the most popular
product for men, the 'Tenga'.

A pre-lubricated
masturbation tube.

This sex toy has been
incredibly successful.

Since 2007, more than 2
million models have been sold

in Japan at 5 euros a piece.

(upbeat music)

It is hard to imagine that
the demographic future

of this country lies partly in
the hands of this generation

who turn their back on reality.

One reason why young
people are engrossed

in video games rather
than taking an interest

in human relationships, could
be because the traditional

family model is no longer
something to aspire to.

Myoko, her husband
and her children

are a middle class family,

living in this small three-bed
in the Tokyo suburbs.

- [Narrator] I'm here children!

I got you something,
some sweets.

- [Narrator] Myoko
is 45 years old.

She became a mother
later in life

because she valued her career.

And in Japanese
culture, it is the woman

who must give up work to
look after the children.

70% of Japanese mothers
leave their jobs

after their first pregnancy.

Myoko was an interpreter
and long hesitated

to give it all up.

(woman speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] It's difficult.

I didn't really want
to get married yet,

but then, I wanted children.

- [Narrator] Today,
few women are willing

to sacrifice their careers.

Traditionally, men bring
in the family income.

In the 90s, the country
experienced an economic crisis

and saw the end of job security.

According to Yasunori,
Myoko's husband,

who is a civil servant, this
economic upheaval has had

a serious impact on the
psychology of young people.

(male speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] I
think that young men

are financially very worried.

With the crisis, Japanese
society is changing

and that is not encouraging
them to start families.

Also, times have changed.

Today, not everyone
has to get married.

- [Narrator] Another
factor that suppresses

desires to start a family.

The concept of the
child-king in Japan,

which is the death of
a couple's intimacy.

(male speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] Everything
is organized to focus

on the children.

Parents come after.

(woman speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] Becoming a
family is not very exciting.

Of course, we love each other.

But we've become
a dad and a mum.

With children, not a couple.

There are lots of couples
who don't have sex.

Maybe once or twice a
year, maybe none at all.

Okay, whose is whose?

- [Narrator] In fact, the
rare moments the husband

and wife do spend together,

are spent looking
after the children.

- [Narrator] Brush your teeth.

- [Narrator] At bed
time, Moyko sleeps

with one of her daughters.

Is it like this
every night, Myoko?

(woman speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] Yes, she
likes sleeping here.

Children are kings, princesses.

There you go.

- [Narrator] Yasunori
finishes his beer alone.

Then he goes to bed,
but not in his bedroom.

He spends his nights
in a bunk bed.

(whimsical chimes)

In Japan, the rejection of sex

is taken seriously
by specialists

in order to halt the
falling birthrate

and inspire young
people to have sex,

some think they may
have found the solution.

Olivia is a sex counselor
for couples in Japan.

- [Narrator] Okay, let's go.

- [Narrator] With an architect
friend, she has created

an apartment to boost
libido amongst couples.

- [Narrator] So here is
the bedroom, with futons.

- [Narrator] Oh yes,
I can see the lamp.

- [Narrator] Yes,
I left that there.

- [Narrator] At first sight,
it seems like a classic home.

But the originality is
found in the living room.

- [Narrator] Here's the lid.

With this, you can't
see what it is.

And this here, you
remove like this.

- [Narrator] The architect
has used the small size

of Japanese homes to
its full potential,

creating a surprise.

- [Narrator] What are you doing?

- [Narrator] I'm just
removing the lid.

And once it's removed,
we discover a bathtub.

(woman speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] So when the
boyfriend comes home, with this,

you can create a
relaxing environment

and the relationship will
surely become more intimate.

- [Narrator] As well as the
bathtub in the living room,

Olivia and her architect are
convinced they have thought

of it all to create positive
energy in this apartment.

- [Narrator] Here it's
in direct sunlight.

It's well exposed.

If a woman lived here,
she would automatically

become more feminine.

And she would release
more hormones.

In the end, she
would exude charm.

- [Narrator] If
that wasn't enough,

the specialists
have another very

effective tool under their belt.

A pole dancing bar in
the middle of the room.

Using it will provoke
unexpected impulses.

- [Narrator] When you work
on your muscles inside,

you have more stamina,

you get tired less quickly,

you are more energetic at night

and your sex life
is a lot richer.

- [Narrator] This apartment
and several others like it

are currently on sale.

Olivia also has an
office in the city.

She advises women
who have never had

or no longer have sex.

Naoko has known her for 3 years.

- [Narrator] Take a
seat in the armchair.

- [Narrator] In order to
broach taboo questions,

Olivia has a whole
ritual in place.

- [Narrator] I'll
take your things.

- [Narrator] She has
learned, in a way,

how to gain the trust of
these very reserved women.

- [Narrator] Japanese
women find it hard

to talk about their sexuality.

They are still far too modest,

even when they
come here to talk.

So I start with a massage
using scented oils

and afterwards I address
the real subject.

- [Narrator] For Naoko,
these sessions seem

to have worked wonders.

- [Narrator] I tried
to take your advice

and I recently
found a boyfriend.

- [Narrator] Ahhh,
really, that's great!

- [Narrator] With all
of my ex-boyfriends

I couldn't broach
the subject of sex.

But with the one I've just met,

from the start it was
different, we talked about it.

- [Narrator] Yes, you
seem much more comfortable

with what you've learned.

For a woman to talk
about sex like you do,

so spontaneously and
without embarrassment,

it's very rare.

You've made great
progress Naoko.

- [Narrator] For Olivia,
talking about sex

is essential to a
fruitful relationship.

Yet, even though things
are going well for Naoko,

the specialist continues to
give her pieces of advice

to keep her relationship
interesting.

- [Narrator] You know that
when a woman masturbates a lot,

her sexuality becomes richer.

But with men, it's different.

There are so many
temptations and opportunities

to masturbate, that they end
up neglecting their partner.

Goodbye!

- [Narrator] Thank
you very much.

- [Narrator] A little
later on in the day,

we meet up with Olivia.

(woman speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] Sorry to keep
you waiting, shall we go?

Okay, let's go.

- [Narrator] Regularly,
the sex counselor divulges

her own issues to her
friend and confidante Keiko.

For although she is a
relationship specialist,

Olivia is not married.

- [Narrator] I have just
turned 35 and it's true

that for some time now,
people have been asking me

why I'm not married and
why I don't have children.

And I also put
pressure on myself,

because I would like
to have a child.

I really would.

But I don't know where to start.

(woman speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] First they
say you should marry.

And yes, marriage
should come first.

- [Narrator] I have
so much maternal love,

I'm so ready to be a
mum that I got a cat!

- [Narrator] Olivia asks
advice without admitting

to her friend whether or
not she has any suitors.

It is out of the question for
her to be a single mother.

- [Narrator] The declining
birth-rate in Japan

can be explained by a
decline in marriages.

As here, only 2% of children
are born outside of marriage.

- [Narrator] Only 2%
of children are born

outside of marriage,
compared with 58% in France.

Before, marriages in
Japan were arranged,

but today it is rare.

It is up to them to
manage for themselves.

This social pressure of
marriage seems to be one of the

forces contributing to
the falling birth-rate.

After an hour of conversation,

Olivia is not very
reassured about her case.

(woman speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] You
know, what worries me,

is not really the future of
Japan, but my own future.

- [Narrator] Like Olivia,
there is a whole chunk

of the population who
are resisting celibacy.

These are generally men
and women between 25

and 35 years old who
are tired of loneliness

and solo pleasure.

They are desperate to find
love and to get married.

But, they don't know how to.

This is the case for Kamazawa,

a specialized
mechanic in his 30's.

He lives alone in this small
apartment and he has decided

to turn his back
on virtual love.

(fast paced music)

(male speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] I prefer real
women to those in porn videos.

In adult films, you already
know the end of the story

so I don't find it
very entertaining.

Whereas with a real
woman that I don't know,

it's more exciting,
it's more entertaining.

Anything could happen.

- [Narrator] These men and
women who will do anything

to find their soul mate,
are called the 'Konkatsu'.

It has become a state of mind.

And of course, a whole market
has been created in response.

This weekend, Kamazawa is
going to a Konkatsu Camp,

an outing for singletons
in search of love.

There, he hopes to meet
his feminine ideal.

(male speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] A girl who is
happy, always positive and cute.

- [Narrator] It is
10:30 in the morning,

in the north-east of Tokyo
where Kamazawa meets all the

participants and the organizers

of this peculiar summer camp.

- [Narrator] So today,
it's 14,500 yen.

You don't have a lot of luggage.

- [Narrator] Yes,
this is all I have.

- [Narrator] Ah, that's good!

- [Narrator] In total, they
are 15 boys and 12 girls

who will pay 120 euros to
spend 48 hours together,

day and night, in the
middle of the countryside,

2 hours drive from Tokyo.

(male speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] They are
all around their 30's.

They all work but in
very different worlds.

You're all here, okay?

We're going to get on the bus.

Follow me.

Thank you.

- [Narrator] At first,
everyone keeps to themselves.

The shy singletons
have not yet exchanged

a single word between them.

But the organizers
are used to it.

(male speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] I ask that the
ladies get on the bus first.

- [Narrator] It is
against the rules

for the women to sit
next to each other.

- [Narrator] Come on!

- [Narrator] It is now
the turn of the boys

to climb onto the bus.

But, greetings are
rather restrained

and there's no flirting

For health concerns, some
have kept on their masks.

To break the ice, the
organizer asks them

to introduce themselves
over the microphone.

(man in blue speaks
foreign language)

- [Narrator] So now
you are each going to

take turns introducing
yourselves.

Say your name, where you
come from and what you like.

You can also add something
like, for example,

I'm scared of the dark,

you need to accompany me if
I want to go to the toilet,

or I grind my teeth in my sleep,

so please close my mouth.

Okay, your turn.

(woman speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] My name is
Akiko, I come from Saitama,

I love children and animals.

- [Narrator] Nice
to meet you, Akiko!

(male speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] My name is
Kamazama, I come from Kanagawa.

I like surfing, body
boarding and cars.

I like having fun and
I hope that we'll all

have a good time together.

(woman speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] My hobbies
are trampolining

and playing the drums.

- [Narrator] They're
supposed to show themselves

in the best possible light.

But extreme shyness
sometimes takes over.

(male speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] I love
watching sports,

particularly football matches.

But, unfortunately
I've caught a cold.

I'm a bit ill so don't
come too close to me.

- [Narrator] Two days is
not much to break down

the inhibitions of
the young Japanese.

Kamazawa tries to build
courage by explaining

his strategy out loud.

- [Narrator] If I find
a girl who is nice,

that would be great but
we have to have fun,

otherwise you won't
find a cool girl.

Right guys?

Because if you have a
good time and joke around,

that's when the pretty
girls will come to us.

- [Narrator] The trainee
lovers are plunged

back into childhood.

The organizers have
planned a game for them,

girls and boys mixed.

(man up front speaks
foreign language)

- [Narrator] There are 3 teams,

the blues, the
whites and the reds.

- [Narrator] They begin
with a treasure hunt.

Motivated, Kamazawa
leads his team.

They must find all letters
hidden around the school

in order to make
up a mystery word.

- [Narrator] Upon arrival,
they are made to do activities

that will allow them to
get to know each other.

It's going to be a success.

(perky music)

- [Narrator] And in
Kamazawa's group,

there is a young woman
who is naturally gifted

at hunting treasure, Akiko.

- [Narrator] There,
here, here, I found it!

- [Narrator] However, this
young primary school teacher

is much less gifted when it
comes to finding a boyfriend.

- [Narrator] How long
have you been single for?

(woman speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] 5 long years!

- [Narrator] No men at all?

- [Narrator] Not a single one.

- [Narrator] Why is
it so difficult for
you to meet someone?

- [Narrator] Because I'm
very dedicated to my work,

I find it hard to do
two things at once.

And because I can only
concentrate on one thing,

I haven't managed
to find anyone.

- [Narrator] Why do you want
to get married so much now?

(woman speaks in
foreign language)

- [Narrator] Because
I would like to

do things with someone.

We could share moments
of happiness together.

(perky music)

- [Narrator] After the treasure
hunt, the singletons play

card games or games
from their childhood.

And just like school,

the rewards come in sweet form.

(applause)

For lunch, the organizers
have not booked a chef.

Preparing meals together could
perhaps be an opportunity

for the singletons
to hit it off.

For Kamazawa and Akiko,
it seems to be working.

- [Narrator] Let's join hands
and say 'enjoy your meal.'

- [Narrator] Enjoy your meal.

- [Narrator] At
the table, they are

seated next to each other.

It's time for them
to start talking.

So how is it going between you?

(man speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] Yes, it's good.

We're having a
good time together.

She's a nice girl
and she's pretty.

- [Narrator] And you,
what do you think of him?

- [Narrator] He seems nice.

- [Narrator] Shall
we exchange numbers?

- [Narrator] Okay.

- [Narrator] Let's
exchange phone numbers.

- [Narrator] Kamazawa
is confident.

He feels daring and
decides to go for it.

- [Narrator] Wait, I'd
like to add something.

I love you.

You saw that, she
responded well.

I love you.

- [Narrator] Akiko is cringing.

- [Narrator] So,
do you like him?

(woman speaks in
foreign language)

- [Narrator] I need more time.

- [Narrator] They have
only known each other

for a few hours, but
it's a blow for Kamazawa.

Will he recover?

(slow paced music)

The next day, it is home time.

Although some of the singletons
have exchanged numbers,

they leave a little
embarrassed at having forgotten

that in Japan affection is
not expressed in public.

Kamazawa does not see Akiko
in the weeks that follow.

We return to the Tokyo suburbs.

Mr. Takashi has been
married for 20 years.

He, too, experiences a lack
of sex in his marriage,

so he has ended up
finding a mistress.

He takes her out every Sunday.

He likes to photograph her,
a case of maintaining desire.

(man speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] I like the
way she looks at you.

Her eyes.

- [Narrator] Saori looks 30
years younger than Mr. Takashi.

(man speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] That's
great, very sexy!

- [Narrator] Actually, the
mistress is a silicon doll.

- [Narrator] Normally
in Japan, the belief is

that it's not good to
take photos by water.

It attracts bad
spirits, but oh well.

- [Narrator] These dolls,
also known as love-dolls,

are a growing
population in Japan.

We meet Mr Takashi at his home.

(perky music)

(man speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] Welcome, come in.

- [Narrator] Thank you.

Do you live alone here?

- [Narrator] No I live
with two people, here.

This is Saori and
this is Megumi.

- [Narrator] For 5 years,
Mr Takashi has shared

his life with these two dolls.

- [Narrator] We listen to
music, we watch films together.

When it's their birthday,
I get them a birthday cake.

- [Narrator] Do you buy
them presents as well?

- [Narrator] Yes, I
get them presents.

Her, for example, I
got her some earrings.

- [Narrator] Mr. Takashi
lives in the suburbs of Tokyo.

His wife lives in
the countryside 100
kilometers from here.

She comes from time to
time and seems to accept

her husband's cohabitation
with these two mistresses.

(man speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] At first, she
was a little scared because

she found them too life-like,
but now she's used to them.

- [Narrator] Do you have sexual
relations with the dolls?

- [Narrator] Yes, it happens.

- [Narrator] And your
wife isn't jealous?

(man speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] I think
she accepts it.

- [Narrator] Mr. Takashi's
two silicon mistresses

were born here at this company.

The employees who hold the
secrets to their production

prefer to remain anonymous.

- [Narrator] We have several
molds to make different

chest sizes and different
parts of the body.

- [Narrator] Next
step, the de-molding.

The bodies are now
in their final form,

already with some
possible custom options.

All that remains is to give
these silicon figures a face.

Human faces which can express
emotions and above all

inspire feelings.

- [Narrator] To make the
faces as real as possible,

I strive to create
very human features.

And I even sometimes
add little imperfections

for more detail.

- [Narrator] These dolls
are seducing more and more.

Some customers even have
over ten of them at home.

The clear winner is a
mysterious millionaire

who owns a collection of 100.

Unfortunately, we are
not allowed to film

beyond these opaque curtains.

The secret to the love-dolls
assembly will remain a mystery.

In his showroom, the
director is very proud

to show us his latest creations
which, according to him,

touch on perfection.

(man speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] As you can see,

we have even carefully
drawn the lines of the hand

on the palm just
like in real life.

You can really feel a
very, very supple breast

and it's very soft.

And when you bend the joints,

you'll notice that
you can put the legs

in the position you wish.

And there is even a
mechanism here in the stomach

which allows the legs to be
raised into this position

if you want to
lift her buttocks.

- [Narrator] In the
country of auto-eroticism,

these adult toys are
worth 6000 euros each.

The market is growing rapidly,

this company alone sells
nearly 7000 dolls a year.

Solo pleasure is doing so
well that it has made Japan

the world's biggest producer
of pornographic films.

With a market of over
20 billion dollars.

Except that the
fear of sex in Japan

has also affected
the porn industry.

There are only
around 70 actors left

to make 30,000 films each year.

One of them is
calling out for help

in the international press
hoping for a resurgence.

His name is Ken
Shimizu, alias Shimiken.

- [Narrator] You're
going to see how many

showers I take a day.

Now, I'm doing something
that I've been doing

since I was in high school.

I dry my penis every morning.

It's the most important part
of the body after all, right?

And of course, without him,
I wouldn't earn any money.

(perky music)

- [Narrator] Shimiken
is the king of the

Japanese porn industry.

And he takes good care of his
work tools, like his hair.

From the moment he wakes up,

each morning revolves around
a very precise ritual.

A regime worthy
of a top athlete.

(male speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] You need a
stable and regulated life.

It's important to eat well.

You also need regular sleep.

And lots of physical exercise.

- [Narrator] Shimiken requires
a high protein breakfast

since he began his porn
star career 16 years ago.

With the huge lack of actors,

his contracts also follow
on one after the other.

He can have two or
three shoots a day.

- [Narrator] Eating the
same thing every morning

for more than 10 years.

It's not that easy!

(upbeat music)

- [Narrator] To
keep in good health,

he also takes vitamins
and food supplements.

- [Narrator] Sex
is a combat sport,

but one which is done in bed!

Let's go!

- [Narrator] With 7500 X-rated
movies in his show reel,

Shimiken is proud
of being a hero.

A bit like manga hero,
Goku from Dragon Ball Z,

on this signed drawing
that hangs in his hallway.

- [Narrator] He's been my
idol since I was a child

because I love heroes.

But I'll tell you the
truth, they don't exist.

- [Narrator] Shimiken
makes a good living.

So he finds it hard to
understand why there aren't

more than 70 porn
stars in Japan.

He is proud to show us
what his cabriolet coupé

has under the hood.

A marvel worth 150,000 euros.

(engine revs)

But this morning, he
goes to work in his 4x4.

Shimiken has his own explanation
for the disenchantment

of Japanese men regarding
the opposite sex.

Over the last few decades,

the traditional social
model has evolved.

Women, usually
submissive to men,

have emancipated themselves.

- [Narrator] It is not men
who have become weaker,

it's women who have
become stronger.

Now men are afraid
of getting hurt,

they are afraid of
failure when they flirt.

There is also the fact
that there are more

and more ways to communicate,

like texting for example.

Which let us live
without meeting anyone

and which push people to
withdraw into themselves.

- [Narrator] For
the next 3 hours,

Shimiken will be working hard
on this rather minimalist set.

At the end of the shoot,
some more vitamins,

but hardly enough
time to breath.

He is constantly
rushed off his feet.

- [Narrator] There were
two girls on the shoot

with great bums, it
was really something.

Now, I'm going to have my shower

and then I've got to
go to another studio.

- [Narrator] On the second
shoot, before going on camera,

Shimiken has lunch on the go.

At 36 years old, while
he has already had

8000 sexual partners, the
actor knows that he is not

yet ready for retirement.

- [Narrator] Here in Japan,
there are 10,000 actresses

for 4000 films a month
and we are only 70 actors.

You know, there are only
2000 Bengal tigers left

in the world and
we are like them,

an endangered species.

(whimsical music)

- [Narrator] And Shimiken
is only half-joking.

He is now on a mission.

To reawaken the tiger that
sleeps in every Japanese male.

(upbeat music)

In Tokyo, one Frenchman
has decided to come

to the population's aid.

His name is Julien.

Seven years ago, he fell
in love with the country

and its eccentricities.

(male speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] This is a Pikachu.

It's the mascot of a
well-known brand of video game.

In fact, he's my totem.

- [Narrator] Julien has also
noticed that men and women

in Japan no longer
understand seduction.

He thinks he has
found a solution.

To set up mixed couples.

He himself has married
a Japanese woman.

And now, he organizes evenings
introducing Westerners

to Tokyo's singles.

Nothing better than
a fancy dress party

to liberate Japan's
single population.

- [Narrator] I'm organizing
a masquerade party

and so I've made a
whole load of masks.

It creates a complicity,
a naughty atmosphere.

So both of them
will have a mask,

it's like a kind of protection.

There you go.

- [Narrator] And his
Cupid's recipe seems to be

working very well.

- [Narrator] I've succeeded
in making couples,

one of them has a child
and some are married.

Come on, let's go.

- [Narrator] Tomorrow,
Julien has been invited

to a Franco-Japanese wedding
who he set up himself.

But this evening, he is
organizing an event in Ginza,

a chic district in
the heart of Tokyo.

Will it bring with
it new successes?

- [Narrator] Hey
girls, how are you?

- [Narrator] Good.

- [Narrator] Wait,
I've sent you the list,

I'll explain it to you.

I'll be right back.

- [Narrator] Since 2013,
Julien has spearheaded

the first Franco-Japanese
community in Tokyo,

it's also the city's first
international community.

So it's not hard for him
to find participants.

- [Narrator] How many
girls, how many boys

are you expecting tonight?

(male speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] Tonight there will
be around 150 to 200 people,

something like that,
it should be good.

- [Narrator] Julien
has everything planned

to make his guests feel relaxed

and to get the blood rushing.

Artists have been booked
to perform sexy shows.

It's 8 o'clock.

The first guests
have already arrived,

and there are a lot of them.

(upbeat music)

Wearing masks seems to
have had its effect.

(woman speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] I become
another person.

Normally I don't feel like
I can approach people,

but tonight, maybe I will.

- [Narrator] The guests
begin to let their hair down.

And the evening has
only just begun.

(male speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] Tonight,
to please the ladies,

there will be a male striptease.

(women screaming)

- [Narrator] To awaken the
senses of the Japanese women,

Julien has turned to
a Western Chippendale.

Which breaks down
the barriers of some

and conquers their
natural Japanese modesty.

(women screaming)

Very quickly,
French and Japanese

begin exchanging numbers.

(male speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] What I'm seeing
at the bar, each time,

is couples forming.

- [Narrator] Some of them
take it to the next level.

- [Narrator] And there's one!

(upbeat music)

- [Narrator] During
these events, many
couples get together,

sometimes for life.

The next morning,
Julien makes his way

to the Yoyogi Hachiman
shrine to attend the wedding

of Clément and Mariko.

- [Narrator] Thank
you for coming.

- [Narrator] My best wishes.

- [Narrator] Thank
you for coming Julien.

- [Narrator] Julien's very
warm welcome might be down

to the fact that the two
lovers met each other

at one of his events.

It was a year and a half ago.

And a baby was born
from this union.

(male speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] It's not
really a kissing culture..

She takes it better than.

- [Narrator] Although
she is in the country

where modesty reigns,
today, Clement's mother

is all about kisses.

(male speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] Look toward me.

- [Narrator] So Julien is
boosting marriage in Japan?

- [Narrator] That's
a lot of pressure.

(male speaks foreign language)

- [Narrator] Well it's
mostly thanks to him

that we met each other.

(loud whistle)

- [Narrator] While more
and more Japanese people

prefer Western-style weddings,

Clement and Mariko have
opted for a traditional

Shinto ceremony in kimonos.

The Shinto priest purifies
the bride and groom.

Then he invites them to
taste the sacred sake.

And as is custom,
they share three cups

which they must
take turns drinking.

Then Clement and
Mariko exchange vows.

Their families are moved.

And Julien is
particularly touched.

As it was him who
orchestrated this union.

- [Narrator] This is probably
the face of future Japan.

(male speaks foreign language)

With more and more
mixed marriages,

this could be what
the future looks like.

And so, lots more little
mixed babies as well.

And if mixed marriages
are not enough

to repopulate the country,
the Japanese people

can always rely on the Gods.

(whimsical music)

Each year, the town of
Kawasaki in the Tokyo suburbs

celebrates Kanamara Matsuri,
the fertility festival.

Since the 17th century,

the town's residents gather
on the first Sunday of April

to parade giant
penises in the streets.

Costumes, candy in the
shape of penises or vulva,

anything goes when
honoring the local gods

and asking them for a
fruitful sex life or a baby.

A rather bizarre and
surprising initiative

to combat the demographic
decline of Japan.