Over 1,000 Marriages Between Korean Men and Japanese Women Last Year
Cultural and Economic Factors Cited as Key Backgrounds
"Just a Fantasy, Reality Is Different"... Diverse Perspectives Emerge
Kim Gunhee (28, male) is set to marry a Japanese woman next year. He decided to marry her because of her kind nature and the genuine care she shows for him. Rumors he had heard in the past-such as “Japanese women are obedient to men and are good at supporting their husbands”-also influenced his decision. Although both families are scheduled to meet later this year, he has encountered some concerns. Contrary to his expectations, his fianc?e is struggling to adapt to life in Korea. Kim said, “Perhaps because she is not fluent in Korean, she has trouble fitting in with my friends when I introduce her to them,” adding, “She feels a lot of stress because of this.”
With the growing number of marriages between Korean men and Japanese women, there is increasing interest in international marriage. The positive perception of Japanese women, which has developed as opportunities to consume Japanese content have increased, appears to be a contributing factor. However, many couples face difficulties in married life due to cultural differences and economic limitations. As a result, some warn that deciding on an international marriage based solely on idealized notions of Japanese women can be risky.
Why Are Marriages Between Korean Men and Japanese Women Increasing?
According to Statistics Korea on September 28, the number of international marriages between Korean men and Japanese women last year was 1,176, a 40% increase from 840 cases the previous year. For the first time in ten years, the number of such marriages exceeded 1,000, after recording 1,030 cases in 2015. In contrast, the number of international marriages between Korean women and Japanese men was only 147 last year, up about 3% from 143 cases the previous year.
How is the surge in marriages between Korean men and Japanese women being analyzed in Japan? Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) reported in July that there is a “marriage boom” between Korean men and Japanese women, citing the popularity of Korean culture and Korea’s economic growth as the background. Japanese broadcaster TBS also analyzed that the financial burden Korean men face regarding marriage has led to more marriages between Korean men and Japanese women. A Korean man interviewed by TBS said, “In Korea, it is expected that men prepare a home when getting married,” adding, “I think Japanese women do not place as much financial burden on men.”
Korean men widely agree that their perception of Japanese women, shaped by easy access to Japanese content, has had a greater impact on their decision to marry than economic factors. Wang (30, male), who dated a Japanese woman for four years, said, “Perhaps because the patriarchal system still exists in Japan, women are expected to grill meat, set the table, and pour water at restaurants,” adding, “Korean men and Japanese women are attracted to each other because both try to show small acts of consideration.” Kim emphasized, “I did not choose to marry a Japanese woman because of housing costs,” and added, “People in their 20s and 30s have been exposed to Japanese culture since childhood, so it’s natural that some have developed a longing to marry a Japanese woman.”
However, some advise that the cultural and economic factors often cited as reasons for marrying Japanese women may be closer to illusions. Kim said, “The image of Japanese women as good at supporting their husbands and being obedient is something only people who don’t really know say,” adding, “Even in Japan, there is a growing awareness that the passive image of women is not always right.”
Lee (30, male), who has been dating a Japanese woman for a year, also said, “Japanese women are often portrayed in Japanese content as being supportive and splitting bills, but these are elements adapted to attract popularity,” adding, “Such idealized images are spreading among male communities, but there is no real difference between Japanese women and women from Korea or other countries.”
Marriage to Japanese Women: Those Who Face Real Barriers
Those with experience say that the cultural and economic barriers encountered during marriage or relationships with Japanese women can be higher than expected.
Wang said he broke up with his Japanese fianc?e during the wedding preparations due to cultural differences. He explained, “I tried to bring her to Korea, but she was very unwilling to leave Japan,” adding, “Of course, it’s not easy for anyone to leave their home country, but Japanese women seem to feel this even more strongly. There is still a sense of pride from the days when Japan was a superpower.”
Kim, who brought his Japanese fianc?e to Korea ahead of their wedding, is also experiencing cultural differences. He mentioned the Japanese concept of “meiwaku,” which refers to the strong aversion to causing inconvenience to others-a uniquely Japanese cultural trait. Kim said, “It’s difficult to understand meiwaku, which doesn’t exist in Korea,” adding, “Perhaps because my fianc?e is deeply influenced by meiwaku, she seems to be under a lot of stress while trying to adapt to Korea.”
Economic issues are also a concern. Lee dismissed the fantasy of saving money together with a Japanese woman, saying, “Foreigners basically cannot work in Korea. Even if they graduate from a Korean university, it’s hard to find a job. You have to be prepared to be the sole breadwinner.” Kim also said, “After marriage, my fianc?e will likely have difficulty finding a job for some time, so she plans to attend a language institute.”
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