Neil Duckett

As i relax in Melbourne on what’s going to be a stinking hot 42′C New Years Eve i came across an interesting story on CNN about a growing group, ~4500 members so far, of Japanese men trying to be better husbands.

When i get back to Japan later this week i’ll wrap up what’s been a fantastic, and at times busy, trip back to Australia. Right now it’s time for a swim followed closely by a cold beer then get ready to party on a mates place … photos to come.

Here’s the basics of the article which, if i didn’t live in Japan, i would have thought it was an April Fools Day prank.

Smoke hovered over the dinner and beer disappeared as quickly as it was poured.

At first glance, it looked like a typical Friday night post-work scene played out all over Tokyo’s taverns.

But then your eyes stop on a poster-sized sign propped up next to one of the middle-aged men. It reads:

Three Golden Rules of Love:

• Thank you (say it without hesitation)

• I am sorry (say it without fear)

• I love you (say it without embarrassment)

All the men at the table stood up. Equally spaced out and still wearing their stiff black suits, they chanted in unison, “I can’t win! I won’t win! I don’t want to win!”

The chant was followed by a deep bow, a straightening of the backs, big smiles and a burst of applause. The meeting of the “National Chauvinistic Husbands Association” was underway.

If you’re confused at this point, don’t fret. The group is called the National Chauvinistic Husbands Association because it’s a club for bossy husbands who need help (a little lost in translation effect here).

So the title is appropriate for this group of men. In an abrupt about face from traditional Japanese relationships, the men are learning how to give their wives more respect.

More poster signs surrounded the men at the meeting:

Three Golden Rules of Renewing Family:

• Let’s Listen

• Let’s Write

• Let’s Talk

Three Golden Rules for Extramarital Affairs:

• I don’t do it

• I am not doing it

• I am not even thinking about it

And there’s even a system of ranking your husbandry in the club:

Rank 1: Love your wife after three years of marriage

Rank 2: Help with the household work

Rank 3: No extramarital affairs, or at least keep it a secret from her

Rank 4: Ladies first

Rank 5: Hold hands with your wife in public

Rank 6: Listen to what your wife has to say carefully and seriously

Rank 7: Solve issues between your wife and your mother

Rank 8: Say thank you without hesitation

Rank 9: Say I’m sorry without fear

Rank 10: Say I love you without embarrassment

For the complete story and video you can find it here.

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