South Korean men and Japanese women international marriages hit 24-year high

International marriages between South Korean men and Japanese women reached a high of 1,483 couples last year, the highest number recorded since 2000. This trend has led to a significant surge in interest within the Japanese marriage market.

In Tokyo, the marriage agency ‘Moa Love,’ which specializes in connecting Japanese women with Korean men, reported that its female membership doubled over the past year. Analysts attribute this growth to the influence of K-pop and Korean dramas, which have shaped positive perceptions of Korean men. Other contributing factors include the increased visibility of Korean-Japanese couples on social media and the reduction of language barriers through advanced translation applications.

While many Japanese women cite attentive behavior and romantic expression as attractive qualities, they also note cultural differences, such as stricter social expectations regarding relationships and family dynamics. Conversely, some Korean men expressed interest in Japanese women due to their perceived warmth and kindness, though they noted differing cultural approaches to marriage, such as the emphasis on economic stability in Korea compared to personality-focused matching in Japan.