If you want to know something about Japanese women then please take the time to read the following short essay. It will help you understand some behind the scenes aspects of Japanese culture.

To understand Japanese women it is important to understand some Japanese history and culture. Being hardworking, publicly polite, and even modest is part of the Japanese character. These traits began long before WWII. It comes from a time when Japan had a feudal system similar to the medieval feudal system in the west. This system ended after WWII in the 1940's. The feudal system demanded hard work and complete loyalty. People were expected to sacrifice greatly for their family and their feudal lord. This system did not encourage or tolerate outspoken behavior, so the people were publicly polite but privately unhappy and rude. Even the language developed to have a polite form and familiar form for every kind of communication. Showing your true feelings was dangerous and highly discouraged. Eventually, it became a sign of strength to bear life's burdens and hardships politely and modestly. Americans tend to think they understand certain aspects of this character and characterize them as "Having a Protestant work ethic" or "Having good family values". This is somewhat true, but Japanese character is much more than that. Japanese have an intense loyalty to their group. They have an expectation to work hard for long hours. They are extremely private about personal feelings and are modest about their abilities to a fault.

Although Japanese culture has been changing due to the increased wealth, use of technology, and a lot of American influence, many young people still have those traditional Japanese values previously mentioned. Due to the expanding Japanese economy and the recent equal opportunity law in 1986, Japanese women have become one of the most highly educated women in Asia. Today it is common for Japanese women to be very independent, and career minded. Many Japanese women study English overseas in the US, Canada, and even Australia. This would be excellent for the women, but many Japanese men still expect the women to be very traditional and to stay at home. The men expect the women to work very hard and bear any burden without compliant or consideration for her wants and needs. Japanese women are often frustrated by this treatment by the Japanese men. They want to be traditional but expect some appreciation for all their hard work and some support for them to achieve their dreams. Western men are more ready to give this appreciation and support and this is partially why many Japanese women want to marry Western men.

Comparing Japanese women to other Asian women shows that Japanese women are very compatible to Western men. Unlike some other Asian women, Japanese women do not have any economical or social pressure to get out of their country. In other Asian countries, marriage is often based not on Love but is arranged by the family and serves a family or economic need. In these other countries, if a woman likes the man's social status, income or family background then the family encourages them to get married. In Chinese cultures, the family creates a lot of pressure on the girl (and the guy she dates) to marry once you are involved. The idea of waiting a while before marriage is not considered respectful. You may be forced to marry someone prematurely because the family demands it. In Korea, the women are still very conservative due to their religion. The women are truly expected to be a virgin until they get married. Today's Japanese women are more open and liberal than they were 20 years ago. They are more Westernized and believe that marriage is based on the Love between 2 people.

Today some Japanese women will live together before marriage to see if she is compatible with her partner. Unlike Filipina, Indonesian, or Thai women, Japanese women are not so actively Catholic, Buddhist, or Taoist so many of the religious conflicts do not exist. If you are interested in sharing your faith or important holidays with your Asian wife then it is important to remember that some Asians will not be tolerant of your ideas simply because they have their own ideas. Being more Westernized makes Japanese women able to enjoy a Baseball game, popular music, and movies more than some other Asian women. Being part of an advanced industrial economy means that many Japanese women have lived in big cities with all the conveniences and problems common to big cities everywhere. Compatibility is an important part of any long term relationship. Basically, the Japanese have had over 50 years of close contact with Americans which has helped make them the most compatible out of all the other Asian women.

What Japanese women expect from you:

1.	Western men consider the sexes to be equal and, as a result, they are willing to share household chores. Western men are kind and openhearted, they are willing and able to express their love for their wives and they will continue to love and cherish their wives as they grow old.
2.	Western men clearly express their opinions and intentions with words and always make decisions after fully discussing the issues with their wives. Japanese women feel these traits make it easier for them to understand their husbands and will also allow them to feel relaxed and to act naturally in the presence of their husbands.
3.	Western men care dearly about their families and their lifestyles are centered around their families.
4.	Western men are tall, strong and handsome.

Please understand and keep in mind:

1.	The level of lifestyle, education and moral standards in Japan is very high and, unlike the United States and Europe, there are very few people who would be considered lower class. For example, a family of four living in Tokyo will require approximately US$50,000 per year (calculated at an exchange rate of 120 yen per US dollar) in order to sustain a middle-class lifestyle. The cost of living in the Tokyo area is on the same order as that of New York or Paris, or higher.
2.	The educational level is very high in Japan. Here are a few facts:
-	98% of all Japanese enter high school.
-	42% of males and 46% of females go on to college
-	The average annual income of a 35 year-old male is approximately US$45,000 (including taxes).
-	Education, from primary school through high school, focuses on the importance of working together - within a group. As a result, Japanese generally tend to be quiet, gentle, polite, cooperative and unselfish.
	We do not welcome the following people:
-	Men who mistakenly believe that Japanese women hope to marry Western men in order to escape their - "poor Asian lifestyles" and enjoy a higher standard of living in Western countries.
-	Irresponsible, careless, lazy men who cannot hold a steady job and who are prone to lie.
-	Men who cannot find a responsible job in their own countries.
-	Men who have just arrived in Japan, with little income, savings or knowledge of living in Japan, and who are hoping to marry a Japanese woman in order to receive help and assistance.
-	Men who believe that Japanese women would make convenient mates because they are less demanding and more obedient than Western women.
-	Men who are drug users, heavy drinkers or heavy smokers.
-	Men who change their behavior after marriage and become violent.
-	Men who are extremely obese.
-	Men who treat marriage casually and who feel that divorce will be an easy escape if things do not work out.
-	Men with tendencies toward alternative sexual lifestyles.
-	Men with mental or physical health problems