Maezawa from the president’s office here as well.
Mac’s feelings are something Mac himself has already described, so I think that settles it.
P.S.
> I’ve heard that ages 27, 28, and 29 are the three years of hell for women.
I think this has changed with the times, but around 30–35 years ago, from about 1986 to 1990—the bubble era—it was said that women should get married based on the Christmas cake analogy.
Age 24 (the 24th)
This was compared to the cake eaten on Christmas Eve. It was fresh, delicious, and sold at full price to people who had made reservations and came to pick it up.
Age 25 (the 25th)
This was compared to the cake eaten on Christmas Day. Naturally, it was still sold at full price—this was considered the ideal age for marriage. As the end of the 25th approached, the price might be reduced slightly, or even cut in half.
Age 26 (the 26th)
This was compared to a cake left unsold after Christmas. People who couldn’t afford to spend much, or who were thrifty, would deliberately buy a discounted cake the day after Christmas.
That was the general idea, with age 25 as the benchmark.
Then, 10–15 years later, in the 2000 drama *Yamato Nadeshiko*—which was rebroadcast last year—the protagonist, Sakurako Jinnō, 27, played by Nanako Matsushima, said:
> “According to my statistics, 27 is the peak age for selling. Once you go past that, your value starts to drop. The countdown to 27 is already underway. I have a month and a half left. I absolutely have to find a man of the highest value before my birthday in December.”
Women were portrayed as being at their peak “selling age” at 27.
A 27-year-old woman, who would previously have been considered an unsold leftover, had now become the age at which she could command the highest price.
In this way, the ideal age for marriage has changed with the times, so I feel that people don’t insist quite as much anymore that women should be married by 30.
Even so, the lines in *Yamato Nadeshiko* are pretty extreme.
★ “The thing I hate most in this world is poverty. I have only one weapon: my beauty. I wonder where all the rich men are.”
★ “We’re often misunderstood because our appearance is just a little flashy. But inside, we’re the same as any ordinary girl. We dream of meeting that one special man.”
★ “So what do you all look at when you assess a man? Armani, Gucci—well, those are fine too. Cartier, Bulgari, Rolex—they can certainly serve as standards. But the most important thing to check is the car key. From there, his income, real estate, stocks, and financial power gradually reveal themselves. That’s when I think, ‘I’ll take a chance on this man.’”
★ “Of course, if there were a young, handsome, tall, extremely wealthy man, that would be ideal. But between a handsome man buried in debt and a wealthy, unattractive man, which one do you think would make a better husband and make a woman happier?”
★ “Is love more important than money? Ōsuke, you can say that because you’re wealthy. Haven’t you ever suffered in your entire life, even as a child? If you keep talking about pretty ideals like ‘the heart is what matters,’ you’ll never escape poverty. Money is what makes poor people happy. Money—and money alone. I hate poverty more than anything!”
★ “The first week after a man and woman meet is when it all gets decided. At best, you’ll end up as nothing more than friends, or get dragged into an endless SF relationship. You have to make your move while the impact of meeting is still fresh! If you just take your time with romance, you’ll never build any momentum.”
★ “A date after a group matchmaking party isn’t really a date—it’s an interview for investigating a man’s income and assets! Why is it acceptable to choose a man based on his looks or personality, but not based on his money?”
★ “I’ve come to hate you. Goodbye.”
★ “Can love make people happy? It can’t make me happy.”
★ “Height, looks, and personality are things you’re born with, aren’t they? Ultimately, they’re a matter of genes and environment. There are unfair hurdles that no amount of personal effort can overcome.”
> “But whether someone can become wealthy is something that can be changed through their own efforts, isn’t it? Even an unattractive man by birth can become wealthy through effort. If that’s the case, don’t you think my way of choosing offers a fairer evaluation?”
> “A woman who likes handsome genes is considered normal, while a woman who likes wealthy men is considered twisted? That makes no sense.”
★ “How many times do I have to tell you? You mustn’t fall in love. Your life gets completely messed up because you fall for something like that. You get carried away, then depressed. It’s nothing but a waste of energy. If you truly want to be happy, you need calm judgment rather than a temporary illness. Money is more trustworthy than any sincere man. Money will never betray a woman.”
At first, the woman chooses men based on their assets, but she gradually becomes attracted to a mathematician who doesn’t have any money and works at a fish shop.
In the end, the story concludes with the idea that what matters is a person’s character rather than money.
I’m Aya, a female member.
In this online age, where we’re constantly exposed to unnecessary information, I can understand why you might envy other people’s papa-katsu arrangements. But I don’t think you need to believe stories when you don’t even know whether they’re true. Please cherish the papa (male supporter) who’s right in front of you. Envying others won’t change your situation.
Regarding Mack’s story about his first time, I honestly hope we can leave it at that. Like Marika, I’m simply not comfortable with the idea of turning someone’s first time into money.
If a close friend were doing it, I would try to stop her. But when it’s a stranger somewhere far away, you can simply choose not to look, so I don’t really have an opinion. To be honest, I don’t understand either the feelings of someone who sells that experience or those of someone who buys it. It’s just that, to me, there are things more important than a person’s first time or their age. What constitutes hell is different for everyone.
The depth of love and the amount of money aren’t necessarily proportional, are they? If one man offers different amounts to different girls, then perhaps it could have something to do with the depth of his feelings.
↑ Sorry for answering when I don’t really know much about this.
Marika
P.S.
Mac,
I’ve been refraining from personal exchanges here because I don’t think they’re appropriate, but it seems there’s been a misunderstanding, so I’d just like to clarify one thing.
To be perfectly honest, I really don’t care where a girl I don’t know loses her virginity. I have no problem with it happening through a dating club, either. If something resembling true love happens there, then more power to you. I’d say, “Good for you.”
All I’m saying is that I don’t think it’s right for women to try to sell their virginity for a high price, or for men to try to buy it for a high amount—call it a congratulatory payment, an allowance, or whatever you like.
Though I suppose that’s just supply and demand, and even as I write this, I’m starting not to care anymore.
Anyway, that’s what I mean. I’m not condemning the loss of virginity through a dating club itself, so please let this be the last word on the subject.
I’m Kamihikoki, a male member.
Meeting people is a wonderful thing, not just through papa-katsu (compensated dating in Japan).
Papa-katsu, quite literally, only becomes true papa-katsu when the “papa” is around that age or older, because…
Once you start feeling that, no matter how long you live, you likely have fewer years ahead of you than you’ve already lived, your outlook on life begins to change. You start becoming conscious of death.
You’re at the halfway point of life, and your priorities shift dramatically—from “building” things while you’re still energetic to “using them meaningfully” while you can.
Then you start thinking about what kind of mark you’ll leave on the people around you and on this world, and how you can repay the kindness you’ve received over the years.
I wonder if it’s around the age when you begin thinking this way that you can truly become a papa with not only money, consideration, and a well-groomed appearance, but also the time and emotional space to think about the future.
I’m Ayase Nana, a female member.
How old are you, if you don’t mind me asking? No one is going to give ¥10 million to a woman who has nothing to offer.
If you want someone to do something for you, you need to offer something in return—or even more. papa-katsu (compensated dating in Japan) is difficult. I also have to be very careful because my everyday conversations can easily become too casual.
I’m older, but I strive to be a woman who’s perfect in terms of her looks, charm, and adult side. I’ve made several people fall for me with my smile.
Instead of just envying others, try working out to tone your body. You could also practice smiling. I’m sure you’ll find someone who’s right for you.
Sorry if I sounded presumptuous. Do your best!
