
Survey solicits sentiments of those with “impoverished breasts.”
While Japanese society is unabashedly outspoken in its appreciation of large breasts, the country doesn’t have an exclusively buxom population. To that effect, the Japanese language has a varied vocabulary that can be used to talk about differing bust sizes, with hinyuu, literally “impoverished breasts,” on the smaller edge of the spectrum.
In one of its most recent polls, Japanese Internet survey site Minna no Koe asked what experiences and thoughts often come to women with hinyuu, and got the following top 10 answers from 3,772 female respondents.
10. My breasts won’t get bigger, no matter how much milk I drink. (119 votes)
Since the end of World War II, milk has been pushed by nationalists in Japan as a source of protein, and its Western culinary origins contribute to a perception that drinking plenty of moo juice will make you tall and/or chesty. Things didn’t turn out that way for this group, though.
9. I’ve tried doing special exercises to make them bigger. (132 votes)
8. People tell me “You’re lucky to be so slender.” (187 votes)
7. I’ve only got a fuzzy idea of what this “cleavage” thing is supposed to be. (262 votes)
6. Even with small breasts, I get stiff shoulders. (334 votes)
5. I believe someday they’ll get bigger. (337 votes)
4. I’ve gone out for the day without wearing a bra. (367 votes)
3. There isn’t anything I can balance on them. (395 votes)
Had the poll been held a few months earlier, odds are this wouldn’t have made the list. But now we’re living in the time of the Tawawa Challenge, and some smaller-chested women are feeling left out of the fun.
2. They don’t get in the way when I run. (679 votes)
1. My lower body looks pretty thick. (698 votes)
With Japanese women’s breasts, on average, becoming reportedly larger, these thoughts and situations may become less common in the future, but for the time-being, they’re a part of life for the women who responded to the survey.
Source: Minna no Koe
Top image: Pakutaso
Insert images: Pakutaso (1, 2, 3)
[ Read in Japanese ]




Survey picks “thin” as second-least-attractive body type for Japanese women
Japanese survey picks “slightly plump” as the cutest body type for women
10 realities about life with large breasts, according to Japanese survey
Japanese women reveal the worst ways they’ve been dumped by their partners
Japanese women asked what they would do if they had a man’s body for one day in survey
East Japan Railway announces plans to abolish magnetic-strip tickets
New Square Enix Cafe reveals Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Nier, and Fullmetal Alchemist menu items
Shakey’s Japan creates matcha mochi, Kyoto fish, and Kansai Chili Con Carne pizzas
Anne Hathaway creates PR frenzy in Japan after mentioning Tottori in Devil Wears Prada interview
Japan’s cheap beef bowl chain goes upscale with Matsuya Premium, but is it worth the higher price?
7-Eleven Japan reinvents convenience store fruit sandwiches with new salty pink sakura peach variety
Trigun Legacy Cafe coming to two Japanese cities this summer to salute series’ original form
Family Mart commits “reverse fraud” in new Giant All-Star Festival, and we couldn’t be happier
Starbucks adds new Fruit Gummy sweets to stores in Japan
Bears appear at one of Kyoto Prefecture’s most popular tourist spots[Video]
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
Ghibli’s No Face continues to demonstrate his generous character growth by dispensing soy sauce
Japanese rice cooker recipe gives us a tasty new way to enjoy vegetables and wieners
New Tokyo sweets shop offers 648 different mochi ice cream dumpling combinations
Colour Hunting: The hot new street photography trend changing how we see Japan
Japanese convenience store shows us how to dress for the rainy season
Body of missing American college student found in Kyoto mountains
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Do Japanese people kiss on the first date? Survey investigates
Japanese women sound off on the line separating a male friend and a boyfriend
Japanese diners pick their eight favorite types of sushi, create mouthwatering dinner blueprint
Size, shape, or suppleness – What does Japan want in a pair of breasts?【Survey】
Four misinformed fantasies men have about Japanese women, according to university students
What jobs would make a woman an attractive wife to Japanese men?【Survey】
What’s the minimum amount of money Japanese women want their husbands to earn? Survey investigates
Japanese men list seven traits that would make it impossible for them to date a woman
Japanese women sound off on their minimum height requirements for a husband【Survey】
Is the ideal spouse someone who’s your best friend or your war buddy? Japanese singles sound off
Food, sleep, or sex? Survey asks Japanese people which they can’t live without
Survey asks Japanese women if they’d rather date a guy who’s experienced with women or not
What’s more important in making a great anime, characters or story? Japanese fans sound off