HN isn't just for news about startups and tech, it's also about topics of interest to curious critical thinkers (which pretty much defines us, don't you think?). A little bit of /r/DepthHub here is a good thing.

While the level of discourse on HN is high enough, it still suffers from the memes( as in their original definition) permeating through the content and diverting the attention to emotional, not rational issues. I for one find the emotional level on HN too high.

Yes, nerds, sex, nothing to see here move along. Fine, if this part bothers you, how about we tackle the actual subject from another angle:

http://fistfulofeuros.net/afoe/staring-into-the-ukrainian-ec...

Population decline is multifaceted and rather important - countries that experience it don't seem to bounce back, and it has far reaching economic implications.

Because it suggests that there is a market for a startup that disrupts lack of sex in Japan.

PG says "do things that don't scale."

At first "acquire users manually", then later you can automate the sexual process. I promise to apply these concepts when I go to Japan.

The Vice documentary linked upthread suggests that such a startup would be trying to disrupt existing Yakuza business. This is possibly not a good idea.

Alternatively, this might be a chance to persuade Japanese legislators to allow your human cloning startup there.

Adds a whole new opportunity for "digital manipulation".

(Sorry, I'll just get my coat ...)

RIPE FOR DISRUPTION!

Several reasons, people like sex and reading about sex. Learning about another culture and their problems is interesting. As the other poster said sounds like Japan might be a rich breeding ground for startups who try to address these issues.