by SON SOOK-MEE
International marriages have steadily increased over the past three years. In 2024, 74.7 percent of international marriages involving a Korean partner were between Korean men and foreign women. Notably, there was a 40 percent increase in marriages between Korean men and Japanese women compared to the previous year. The trend has attracted enough attention for Japanese media outlets to publish in-depth reports on the phenomenon.
In the 1990s, international marriages in Korea were primarily seen as a solution for rural bachelors who had passed the typical marriage age. Arrangements were often brokered by matchmaking agencies, giving these unions a transactional nature. Today, however, international marriages increasingly involve white-collar men in urban areas, including office and managerial workers. What was once a marriage of convenience has shifted toward more equal partnerships, often formed through online connections, workplaces, study abroad programs or immigration.
Why are marriages between Korean men and Japanese women increasing? One factor is economic convergence. As Korea’s national income has risen, the perceived gap between the living standards of Korea and Japan has narrowed. Korean pop culture has also shaped the image of Korean men as considerate and refined, an image that appeals to Japanese women. Conversely, Japanese women are often seen by Koreans as sensitive and thoughtful partners. Improvements in bilateral relations and expanded exchanges have also made it easier for Korean men working or traveling in Japan to meet local women. Recently, an increasing number of Korean men have joined Japanese matchmaking services, traveling there specifically for arranged meetings.
Financial perceptions also play a role. Marriages with Japanese women are often viewed as less costly and more practical. Newlyweds in Japan typically begin their lives together in a studio or modest rental apartment, reflecting a cultural norm of living within one’s means. Excessive financial demands are often perceived as impolite or presumptuous. Wedding ceremonies are usually small, attended only by close relatives and friends. Increasingly, some couples opt for a “nashi-kon,” or marriage without a wedding at all.
Japan’s economic stagnation has also influenced attitudes. Following the collapse of the bubble economy in the early 1990s, Japan experienced three decades of deflation and a decline in property values. As a result, many Japanese see housing as a depreciating asset rather than an investment. Younger generations, in particular, view homes as consumables rather than long-term investments. Most newlyweds rent at first, saving together to buy a home later.
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