Controversy abounds over an university professor’s theory that men without girlfriends are actually suffering an illness caused by the pernicious influence of games and the Internet.

The article in translation, referring to the theories of one Professor Tomonori Morikawa, an expert in Japanese politics and “love theory,” and judging by his vast list of trashy print media appearances, quite the publicity hound:

Professor Tomonori Morikawa of Waseda University says young people today increasingly prefer games and the Internet to real romantic relationships. He asserts young men put off by the difficulty of securing real romance now tend to give up and pursue easy conquests in the virtual realm. Professor Morikawa’s article was soon picked up by Chinese news sites with the byline “Do you all have girlfriends? If not, you are ill.” According to Morikawa, romance is excessively difficult for young people today, and many are left with the impression that only beautiful men or women can succeed in love. This soon saps them of all romantic ambitions. As a result of this, they find themselves fleeing to the virtual worlds offered online or in games, and may even find themselves unable to distinguish between the two. Morikawa warns this may well constitute a type of disease. Some might think this portrait only applies to particular types of men – the prevalent image is of otaku whose only chance of love is in games – but in fact it may apply to anyone. Many lay the blame on games and the Internet. Should this theory be correct, it also has paradoxical implications for the notion that games cause crime.

The validity of this entirely unsubstantiated theory is the subject of much debate online:

“Miku is my wife.” “Not again.” “To think, if there were no net or games I would be totally popular…” “This is the best theory he could come up with? It sounds like something any amateur could dream up.” “Come on, he’s just trying to drum up publicity.” “It’s disturbing to think ones of our ilk would be lumped in with the barbarians interested in this ‘romance.'” “It’s a symbol of Japan today. Women are all bitches, but 2D girls don’t backstab or parasitise, and they are cute too.” “Funny how game basher theories are never accompanied by the huge increase in rapes their ideas suggest should be happening.” “Is it me or are professors today just obsessed with making up stupid theories about ‘young people’?” “Games at fault again? Come off it, women.” “There are no ‘women’ in the real world. What there are are carnivorous animals who look like women.” “It doesn’t matter if you are hot, you can manage with cash only.” “Who can support some woman with the economy like this whilst facing an uncertain future?” “Lately even hot guys get bored with real women and go for dating games. Source: me. I’m dating Nene!” “Not another one of these ‘young people today are…’ articles.” “They are easier for these people to write than ‘because young people have no money…'” “I really would like to have sex with someone and end this loneliness. But when I onanise these feelings disappear somewhere in a shot. In the end I’m happy just licking Miku.” “Blame it on all these articles about trashy women putting us off the real thing, not games.” “It can’t be helped, 2D is just too cute.”