[Wasabista]

Millions? Thousands, perhaps. Well, I don't have the figures but the number has to be low -- especially in a country that tolerates zero immigration!

Nonetheless it's an uphill struggle. As a foreigner you have a harder time convincing tochan and kachan that you're "serious" -- if indeed you are. The Japanese widely believe that a foreigner is an option best suited for "batsu-ichi" and others viewed as "damaged goods." Not good enough for that most glittering of prizes, the young salaryman with good prospects.

I know quite a few of these "mixed" couples, and they either married over the protestations of their families or because the Japanese party suffered from some "defect" (as they see it), i.e. previous divorce, mental illness, poor health, etc.