7 Couples Formed at Tokyo’s Korean-Japanese Matchmaking Party

I received a message from an acquaintance living in Daegu, Southeast Korea, saying, “There’s going to be a ‘Japan-Korea’ matchmaking party in Tokyo, so why not come and cover it?”

I knew that such events had been held several times in Korea and Osaka before, but this is the first time in Tokyo. In Korea, like in Japan, aging society and declining birth rates have become social issues, and even local governments have started supporting marriage activities. Moreover, it is said that these men are coming all the way from Korea because they are seriously considering marriage with Japanese women. I thought it was a rare opportunity to witness a cross-national matchmaking scene, so I rushed to cover it. What emerged was the mindset of men and women from Japan and Korea. 

Standing and Applauding Korean Men Introducing Themselves in Japanese

At the end of June, in Ueno, Tokyo. Before dusk at the party venue, 14 men in suits were seated around round tables with nervous expressions. Some were wearing bow ties. All had come from Korea seeking to meet Japanese women. The male host from the Korean side used light-hearted talk to ease the tension. The pre-event materials listed that the participants were in their 30s to 40s, including pharmacists, employees of major corporations, civil servants, and entrepreneurs, with an average height of 175 cm and an annual income of 50 million won (approximately 5.7 million yen).

Finally, the women make their entrance. As the door opens, the men all stand up and applaud to welcome them. “Welcome! We are glad to have you,” a Korean announcement echoes through the venue as the women take their seats among the men. Many on both sides do not speak each other’s language, so interpreters step in. The first part of the evening consisted of ice-breaking games designed to ease the atmosphere and relieve tension. A game involving passing a ping pong ball through coordinated plays surprisingly energized the room and brought smiles to many faces. The mood seemed to be quite positive.

During the men’s self-introduction segment, the screen displayed phrases like “I run an animal hospital” and “I prefer spending time with family over drinking or dining out.” Some men proudly showcased their Japanese language skills, and there was a handsome man whom the host referred to as the ‘ace.’ Women were seen taking diligent notes and listening attentively. Most of the men were from regional cities and generally gave an impression of being polite and sincere.

One of them, a 43-year-old self-employed man from Daegu, said in fluent Japanese, “I have liked Japanese manga and anime for a long time, so I studied Japanese by watching manga.” He particularly likes Dragon Ball. “This is my first time at a large-scale matchmaking event. I wanted to participate at least once.” When asked about the appeal of Japanese women, he responded, “Femininity. Korean women are a bit strict. I came to Tokyo seeking to meet Japanese women,” he said with enthusiasm.

Japan-Korea relations have had their ups and downs, but this man says, “That has nothing to do with it; it’s just news. Ordinary Koreans like Japanese people. Korean men have a good impression of Japanese women. Many people, including myself, dream of marrying a Japanese woman after watching videos posted by Japanese-Korean couples.” It seems that Japanese women are strongly perceived as being good at ‘housework, cooking, and childcare’ and having a feminine image.

Another man (39) who came from Hwaseong, Northwest Korea, also shared his thoughts: