Only in Japan, Real Men Go to a Hotel With Virtual Girlfriends

[Starbucks Anarchist]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703632304575451414209658940.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

ATAMI, Japan—This resort town, once popular with honeymooners, is turning to a new breed of romance seekers—virtual sweethearts.

Since the marriage rate among Japan's shrinking population is falling and with many of the country's remaining lovebirds heading for Hawaii or Australia's Gold Coast, Atami had to do something. It is trying to attract single men—and their handheld devices.

In the first month of the city's promotional campaign launched July 10, more than 1,500 male fans of the Japanese dating-simulation game LovePlus+ have flocked to Atami for a romantic date with their videogame character girlfriends.

The men are real. The girls are cartoon characters on a screen. The trips are actual, can be expensive and aim to re-create the virtual weekend outing featured in the game, a product of Konami Corp. played on Nintendo Co.'s DS videogame system.

(more at link)

[Teaser]

1. Why, Japan. WHY?

Hentai. Sailor Moon Cosplay. Men marrying robots. Virtual girlfriends.

What is going on over there?

[BadgerKid]

6. Dunno, have the robots have taken over?

Not to mention one can purchased used underwear:
http://www.snopes.com/risque/kinky/panties.asp

[HughBeaumont]

10. .

Misspellings notwithstanding.

[Matariki]

12. I think I was born in the wrong country.

I appreciate 'weird shit'. The fact that Japan had a HUGE Twin Peaks fan base always said something positive to me.

[E-Z-B]

2. Is this considered cheating if you're married?

[damntexdem]

11. What if you're virtually married?

And can one play the part of Tiger Woods in the game?

;-)

[pipi_k]

3. Hey...no STDs or unwanted pregnancies!

:7

[LynneSin]

4. Kinda like James Franco and his love of some Japanese Body Pillow

That was from 30 Rock. Was funny as hell!

[AndyA]

5. I think there's something you can shoot up that will do the same thing,

only you don't have to go anywhere physically. Your mind takes you on the trip. ;)

[Edweird]

7. Sad.

[DJ13]

8. Ever watch Anime?

Most of the female characters are early teens with huge breasts.

[LLStarks]

9. Ronery Japan is ronery. nt

[Owl]

13. Crazy.

:crazy: