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In Japan, women, not men, throng stores to buy Valentine's chocolates

39 Comments
By Myvawny Costelloe

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39 Comments
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Big business, goofy custom.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

It is mostly women in Japan who buy chocolates for their men.. so they can eat them later in bedroom games ... hope this improves love and romance in a country that needs the warmth of beauty, happiness and more babies.

Oh, I seriously doubt that.

9 ( +12 / -3 )

You can pick any western celebration they have in Japan and the result is the same, they take the spirit away to turn it into a capitalist/commercial event: Halloween=no trick or treats, Xmas=couple date night, Valentine=chocolate industry booster, they even have thanksgiving...

9 ( +11 / -2 )

Don't be so naive about the true intentions of Japanese women buying chocolate! They are investing with very high returns for the White Day, when they expect the boyfriend to buy them Brand goods worth 100 times more than the chocolate they bought.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Yup. But I'm American. So Yoko-chan gets chocolates, flowers, dinner... yes sir.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

The rule was thus established and the underwear, jewelry or flowers given in other parts of the developed world were banished, leaving chocolate the sole currency of Valentine’s romance

Funny, I broke all those rules when I was in Japan and both me and my fiance are very glad I did. Because in addition to taking these things out of Valentine's Day, the Japanese have also managed to pretty much remove romance from the equation as well -- "obligation chocolates" Come on?.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

They are investing with very high returns for the White Day, when they expect the boyfriend to buy them Brand goods worth 100 times more than the chocolate they bought.

In that case, I know one young(ish) lady who's going to be very disappointed come March 14th. Then again, she's disappointed regularly every Saturday night....

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Right because Valentine's and Christmas hasn't been completely commercialized everywhere else in the world (rolls eyes). I think you guys are being a bit closed minded thinking just because things are done in this country differently from back home that its wrong or against the true spirit of the holiday. I for one when I moved to this country have worked out with my wife to celebrate it both ways (she makes me chocolate / I take her out to dinner). Either way I look at it, its still a day to enjoy w/ your spouse (or significant other) and not to be taken too seriously. Presuming the haters on this board are simply bitter single folks (yeah you can reply back and say you aren't but deep inside we both know its easy to lie on these boards).

3 ( +3 / -0 )

It is mostly women in Japan who buy chocolates for their men.. so they can eat them later in bedroom games ... hope this improves love and romance in a country that needs the warmth of beauty, happiness and more babies.

2 ( +6 / -5 )

you'd think after the second or third holiday mess-up the West would have stopped introducing these events into Japan. Might as well make something up since it will be changed anyway. Valentine's is supposed to bring people together. Of course that got messed up in Japan. Sigh

2 ( +3 / -1 )

My 5th grader came home with a bounty of 13 cutely wrapped gifts of handmade chocs and a huge smile on his face! That's 13 white day gifts to prepare next month. Hmmmmm....... as long as the kid is happy i guess.....

2 ( +2 / -0 )

My hubby came home with all sorts of chocolates.. I told him how famous he was with the girls at work and all, his reply...' I bought these chocolates for you'! ...wasnt that nice of him?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I bought also for my husband to remember him I'm here for loving and caring as his wife

1 ( +1 / -0 )

nedinjapanFeb. 14, 2013 - 10:28AM JST Don't be so naive about the true intentions of Japanese women buying chocolate! They are investing with very high returns for the White Day, when they expect the boyfriend to buy them Brand goods worth 100 times more than the chocolate they bought.

You make it sound like Japanese women are completely devoid of romantic feelings. This can't be true. I am sure a lot of them expect to get boyfriends themselves in return, instead of brand goods.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

It's a great way to socialize too, when you give your co-workers chocolate. It show how much you appreciate them right! :D :D

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I am used to writing about politics, the economy and international relations between countries, so I have found this item really interesting. Although I am Spanish I have no idea how St. Valentine's day is celebrated in my country-- I am not joking!-- because I have never had a Spanish girlfriend and have not had to give any presents either --not for St.Valentine's anyway. I quite like the idea of getting chocolate as a present so St. Valentine's day is as good an excuse as any other. I wonder whether my fellow country men and women would be amenable to the idea of the white presents for the chaps in March. I like that idea very much as well-- and white chocolate is very nice too! What I don't understand though is the extension of present-giving to other people you have no romantic liaison with. I mean, in other parts of the world for a female employee to give her boss a lover's day present could be easily misconstrued... But the Japanese are always so sweet and thoughtful, particularly if someone spotted the bigger market it would produce...! That's Japan, I suppose. Happy St. Valentine's everybody... and don't eat too much chocolate!!!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Hate to be a downer but in my opinion the whole white day thing was created because of the coddled males of Japanese society. God forbid a man should lose face by embarrassing himself and revealing his intentions to an uninterested, unappreciative female. God how embarrassing! With the advent of white day, males just lay low and reciprocate after being propositioned.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

because that one was really complicated

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Looking forward to a fatty valentines day!

Happy Valentines, everyone!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Marketing ploy turned on its head in Japan and with extra sales day (White Day) added. I like getting chocolates. Unfortunately it is just giri and none of the cuties who give them to me actually mean anything romantic.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

NedinJapan, such a crass (but true) thing to say...

A colleague actually makes her own chocolate for valentines day because she knows the guys she targeted would come through with some choice chocolate. In this case, it is all about the chocolate, and the opportunity to flirt some without causing too much trouble in the office.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

There was a small pink parcel on the breakfast table this morning. Maybe I should have opened it...

0 ( +1 / -1 )

LOL at all the people talking about the 'spirit of valentines day' in the west.

Valentines day these days is just a competition to see which girl can get the biggest bunch of flowers delivered to her office. Men are pressured to send roses, on a day where the price of roses literally triples, and the expectation/stress of the day just ends up making it less enjoyable than a regular date night.

I know when i move back to Australia i am going to instigate Feb 15 as valentines day for my wife and I. Half price roses, and plenty of restaurant bookings available!

In the meantime, i am just going to enjoy my chocolates!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

"this year I hope I'll get a lot"

He may not realize that he is supposed to return the favor on White Day.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Nothing like a good Vday relaxation at your local love motel or traverse to a secluded onsen. I have had this lovely girl gave me a bra-shaped choco and edible pantie... at first I was like huh? Then I was like ahhhh. Wa Ka Da, hotel it is. How creative and thoughtful. What a great excuse to get everything out of your system and just .... away. Giving flowers and spending money for dinner and hotel is a small price to pay for such occasion and activity. Unless your companion for the night is your left or right hand.

Oops too much?

0 ( +2 / -3 )

Glad my company years ago started an office policy ending this Valentine's Day practice. The women were relieved as they didn't want to waste their money on giving their awful bosses expensive chocolates.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"Screw that! Skipping town March 14!"

Even if you got choco on Feb 14? Zurui!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

the gullible believes anything!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

They should just make the men sandwiches instead.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I got a red roses and sweet chocolates from my girls and hubby how sweet they are ... my tears !!!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

In Japan, women, not men, throng stores to buy Valentine's chocolates

Really! After a dozen years in Japan if it wasn't for the article I wouldn't have noticed. Always wondered what was it I was doing wrong. Glad to learn something new. Thank you JT. Did I read "thong"?....No? My bad.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

It's a Japanese custom that I've never agreed with or participated in. I still give chocolate to girls (one in particular)on Valentine's day. Although I do accept donations 'cause I'm a chocoholic anyway.....

Throng - like lemmings?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Well see if the gifts and chocolates paid of on november 14th.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Great comments. Though Valentine's Day in Japan seems to be the opposite of the West, it is quite interesting how Japan celebrates it. I kinda feel for the women. Guys sitting around waiting for women to give them a pile of chocolate while the woman put all their feels into baking and etc. what happen to guys loving the hunt? The one who initiates the relationship kinda has charge of it because they are so forward. Perhaps this is why Japanese men only know how to work while their wives are in charge of all else.

Anyhow. Still interesting. I'd rather a day for love be celebrated than prohibited like in some countries that demonize the west.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

$11 billion chocolate business is driven by special days inspired by the advertising industry to get cash tills ringing. Fully half that total is spent in February, according to retailers.

So if this is to be believed then roughly $5.5 BILLION or 550,000,000,000 yen in February alone?!?! It was just a year or two ago that I recall reading, I believe it was here on JT that the total amount spent on Valentine's Day alone was $600 to $700 MILLION. Which would mean that it is now roughly 10 times that amount?

And Japan is in a recession? I wonder what the women in the country could achieve if they really decided to start spending money?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

"Throng" ...could have used a better word for a Valentine's story. Sounds so...um....unromatic.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Screw that! Skipping town March 14th!

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

A majority of American men are all Bears with big hearts unlike weak Japanese men.

We do not allow our loving women to go through this hussle. We love to give Valentine chocolates to our loving women, American men have a strong pride to take care of our women we love.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Just ridiculous!! Can anyone tell them it's Valentine not EASTER !!!

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

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