4 articles
Dating in Japan is much like anything else in Japan: there are a number of commonalities with courting a beau or belle from wherever you are from, but with certain Japanese characteristics. In this case, one thing that can take newbies to the country by surprise (or that they can take for granted) is the
Japan doesn’t have laws against public displays of affection — but social norms do the work that laws don’t. If you’re visiting Japan with a partner, or in a relationship with a Japanese person, understanding where the line is drawn will save you from awkward stares, uncomfortable moments, and unintentionally offending the people around you.
As anyone who has tried using dating apps in Japan will know, there are many similarities between apps in this country and elsewhere in the world. Indeed, many of the apps are literally identical. However, there are a few that were created in and are specific to Japan. Today, we’ll be going through one such
Enjo kosai (援助交際), often translated as “compensated dating,” remains one of Japan’s most hotly-debated social phenomena. While often portrayed as relationships between schoolgirls and older men exchanging companionship for money or gifts, the reality is far more complex. The Origins and Meaning of Enjo Kosai The term enjo kosai literally means “assistance relationship.” It first