In a world where most countries are anticipating problems caused by population growth,
Japan expects a stunted reproduction rate caused by the absence of more and more men
from the dating scene. This has been blamed on otaku culture - an obsession with
computer games, manga and animation - and it has caused a rise in the number of young
people with virtual partners, meaning a dwindling generation of future tax payers.
Anita Rani investigates the extent of the problem.
