Quote:
Originally Posted by 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!
|
But the thing is, most of them don`t stay in Japan. I`d say that most of the couples end up moving out of Japan - usually that is an expectation of the non-Japanese side.
Quote:
|
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.
|
You write that as if there isn`t good reason for it. Face it - Most foreign guys in Japan ARE NOT serious. Most have some fun then go home to brag about their sexual conquests with hot J-girls. Obviously, it`s unfair to assume that everyone is like that... But it isn`t as if the belief isn`t based very firmly in reality.
Quote:
|
Not good enough for that most glittering of prizes, the young salaryman with good prospects.
|
I know I certainly didn`t have any trouble.
Quote:
|
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.
|
I think that the biggest point with protests ends up revolving around the grandchildren. Whichever side is going to be out of immediate reach is going to protest. That certainly isn`t something limited to Japan. No one wants to be cut off in a way from their grandchildren.
Anyway - I know FAR more couples that ended in divorce... Or more like I know a bunch of former Japanese wives of foreign men who got ditched. Most of them as soon as they had a kid and priorities shifted from their husband`s sexual satisfaction to taking care of a baby.
The remaining marriages ended when suddenly the husband decided that even though he`d promised her and her family that they`d live in Japan - Come with him to live elsewhere or the relationship is over.
That doesn`t inspire a whole lot of confidence in the general Japanese population. In fact, I only personally know of 2 couples (other than us) who lasted longer than a year or two.