Why are more Japanese women drawn to Korean men?

Marriages between Korean men and Japanese women are on the rise, according to the Tokyo Shimbun. The newspaper attributes this trend to several factors, including the Korean wave, Japanese women's desire to live in Korea, and the financial strain of domestic marriage expenses faced by Korean men. The number of cross-border marriages skyrocketed following the COVID-19 pandemic, reaching a record high of 1,483 in 2021, the highest annual figure since 2000.

MoaLove, a matchmaking agency specializing in Korean-Japanese marriages, reported that its Japanese female membership doubled this year compared to the previous year. Many of these women were first drawn to Korean culture through K-pop and Korean dramas before considering marriage. The agency noted that social media has played a significant role in normalizing cross-border relationships, while translation apps have helped bridge language gaps, even when Korean men do not speak Japanese.

One 38-year-old Japanese freelance worker shared her personal experience, expressing that her Korean partner frequently expresses affection towards her through daily gestures. This anecdote highlights the personal connection and benefits these relationships can offer for Japanese women eager to explore new experiences and lifestyles, as well as the financial challenges faced by Korean men in their home country.