Japanese Doctor Claims

Homosexual Rate High Among Alien Residents

From The Japan Times

Oct. 10, 1959

A number of semipermanent Occidental male residents in Japan have homosexual tendencies, according to a Japanese psychologist who believes the rate to be as high as one-fourth.

Dr. Hitoshi Aiba, of the Department of Neuro-Psychiatry of Keio University's medical college, based his findings on a series of "depth interviews" with 60 foreign residents.

All of the men interviewed have chosen to live in Japan because they prefer this country, and not out of necessity, Dr. Aiba said.

The "depth interviews" used by Dr. Aiba consist of a list of interrelated questions designed to reveal the inner workings of the subject's mind. This technique is frequently employed by psychologists.

Dr. Aiba told The Japan Times he will announce the results of his oneyear study at the fifth annual General Congress of the Japan Psycho-analytical Association at Kyushu University Sunday.

He said each of the men interviewed had given him permission to publish his findings, on condition that he does

one

not reveal their identities.

The 34-year-old psychologist said he was surprised at the high rate of homosexuality he found among foreigners living the lives of expatriates here. He suggested the fact that Japan is more tolerant of this vice than are many Western nations might be partially responsible.

The foreign residents he interviewed showed a common pattern of seeking escape from their own culture, Dr. Aiba said. He said those interviewed displayed a desire not to identify themselves with their relatives, nationality or environment.

As a result, he added, most are in a dilemma in that they find it difficult to merge with the Japanese culture, while they are repelled by their own culture. The psychologist described them as "caught between the East and West" emotionally.

Dr. Aiba, who has studied in the U. S. for four years and in Germany for two, said he launched his survey of foreign reisdents in an attempt to study the Japanese mentality as reflected in the minds of foreigners.

He explained that he was interested