Last month, sociologist Ryosuke Nishida wrote in a letter to the Asahi Shimbun that it's time for men — himself included — to reflect on what they say to and about women, especially in 飲み会 (nomikai, drinking party) situations.

It's good timing for that, because this past month and the next are crowded with one nomikai event after another. As the 人事異動 (jinji idō, personnel changes) kick in, there are 送別会 (sōbetsukai, formal farewell parties), 壮行会 (sōkōkai, casual farewell parties), 歓迎会 (kangeikai, welcome parties) and, of course, the お花見 (o-hanami, cherry blossom viewing parties).

As the weather turns warmer and among the 桜 (sakura, cherry blossoms), it's easy for parties to turn into 無礼講 (bureikō, free and easy) gatherings. After a few drinks, men tend to dive into the pool of 猥談 (waidan) or 下ネタ (shimoneta), both of which can be described as "tasteless sex talk." For women and even some men, they can be hugely demeaning to listen to. No one should be forced to endure such remarks for the benefit of those partial to waidan, and in this 御時世 (gojisei, day and age), the time-honored excuse of 飲み過ぎて何も覚えていない (Nomisugite nani mo oboeteinai, "I drank so much that I don't remember anything") just won't cut it anymore.