{
  "id": 10861579,
  "title": "Why are more Japanese women drawn to Korean men?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/why-are-more-japanese-women-drawn-to-korean-men",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-30T05:07:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/world/20260930/why-are-more-japanese-women-drawn-to-korean-men"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.\n\nMoaLove, 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.\n\nOne 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.",
  "summary": "Marriages between Korean men and Japanese women are rising, the Tokyo Shimbun reported. The newspaper cited the Korean wave, Japanese women's desire to live in Korea and the financial burden of domestic marriage expenses for Korean men as possible factors. The number of cross-border marriages surged following the COVID-19 pandemic, reaching 1,483 last year, according to Korean government data.…",
  "key_points": [
    "Marriages between Korean men and Japanese women are increasing.",
    "COVID-19 pandemic and Korean wave contributed to the trend.",
    "Korean men face financial strain in domestic marriages."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Rising cross-border marriages between Korean men and Japanese women reflect a shift in cultural and social dynamics, driven by the Korean wave, digital connectivity, and financial pressures.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}