Hi Meoima. Good question. It is interesting. It is just anecdotal, but in my experience in Japan, the amount of men is dependent on a couple of factors things: competition vs show, and Hanyu-attended vs non-Hanyu attended events.
Competitive ISU events seem to have more men than off-season shows. I would guess men made up 25~35% of the crowds during ISU competitions that I've seen in Japan (I've only seen 4 though, so I am not confident with my observations). Of those men, many seem to be accompanied by wives and be in their 50's and beyond.
In off-season exhibitions and shows, there are less men, but how many seems to depend on which skaters are in the show. For non-Hanyu events, there are fewer men. I would guess 5~15% men at these events; whereas for events where Hanyu is participating, the number of males seems to go up a bit... maybe to 10-25% men. The average age of men at off-season shows seems to be younger than at ISU competitions. There are many that come with family or girlfriends, but of course, there are also young men who attend with other young men or groups of men and women.
I have also noticed, that within skating events, different actions seem more or less gendered. Throwing gifts to the skaters seems to be 90~95% women, young and old. Shaking hands with skaters at special events and at Prince Ice World shows appeared to me to me 100% women - though several men were seen nearby taking pictures. I have been to several hotel lobbies where skaters have come in, returning from shows, and these seems to be about 70~85% women, but there are indeed men present.
Sometimes, as a gaijin male, I feel conspicuous at these events. Yet, that may only be in my head. No one seems to think I am out of place, or if they do, they are too polite to show it.
This is all just IMHO.
THANK YOOOOU! Looking forward to your report.
