Achi Village newlyweds to be featured on Japanese television

A newlywed couple from Achi Village, Nagano Prefecture, will be featured on the ABC Television program ‘Shinkon-san Irasshai!’ on September 13. The episode details the unique circumstances of their meeting at a group dating event eight years ago.

The husband, who operates a hardware store in Achi Village and works as a pastry chef on weekends, attended the gathering despite having his wallet stolen in a burglary earlier that morning. During the event, he revealed to the wife that he was the only single man among the three participants, as the other two were married.

Although the couple dated for six years, the wife initially hesitated to marry due to her mother’s previous divorce. Her perspective changed after witnessing her mother’s happiness in a remarriage and the kindness of her stepfather. The couple officially married in 2024 following a proposal from the wife.