Make-Inu

The expression "Mahke-Inu" or "Loser Dog" has been part of the Japan media and pop vernacular for some time now, an expression that was originally popularized by actress Kaoru Sugita as referring to unmarried Japanese women in their 30s and 40s.

I guess it is ironic that Sugita was talking up this less than flattering concept while she herself was turning 40 and unmarried. (One could say she "championed" women in this demographic) You could look at it as someone making fun of themselves, as well, I suppose. But then earlier this year she got married and now it seems the former "loser dog" is not a "winner dog" but a "horny dog" since she likes to tell folks that the best part of her marriage is the sex.

Key point here is that that whole "Loser Dog" thang is pretty much a tv and gossip magazine entity-you just don't find people on the street talking about women in that context-and so garners it's unfair share of publicity.