I totally support international marriage.
Support and strengthen each other.
You might be able to find a nice place over connections.
Hey guys and girls on Ask Japanese this is Cathy Cat.
Today we are gonna go and Ask Japanese what they think of
international marriages. That's gonna be interesting. Let's go ask Japanese.
What's your opinion on international marriage?
It's pretty brave in my opinion.
You might not be able to communicate well.
Having the chance to meet in the first place too!
After marriage, you need to decide in whose country you wanna live...
There are lots of things you need to think about.
I think it's a tough life choice.
Well, each other's culture is different...
And thus still being able to interact well with the partner's parents is an achievement.
I think it's alright. It doesn't matter who you marry, in my opinion.
You will learn a lot about another culture, so I think it's an enriching life experience.
If you learn about each other's culture, it's a great chance.
Love is love! If you fall in love with that person, then that's the right thing to do.
My parents are an international marriage, I therefore support it a lot.
Where are your parents from?
My father is from France. My mother is Japanese.
There are big cultural differences...
I think that makes life harder.
But it will broaden one's horizon. I therefore think it's a good thing.
The sibling of one of my friends in an international marriage.
Not marrying because your partner is from a different country?
That's strange. I think it's a good thing.
I totally think it's alright.
I personally think, Japanese faces are so round anyways...
Don't go dissing us!
I am not dissing Japanese!
Cute people are still cute.
I support international marriage.
Abroad, there are many muscular men, right?
I admire those muscular genes, I want them.
And therefore I am ok with it.
I think it's definitely ok.
I am alright with it.
I think it's totally alright.
Yes for sure.
If you were in an international marriage,
where do you see potential arising problems,
and how would you resolve those problems?
I think the food and culture might be a problem.
So you need to really talk a lot with each other.
- Talk in person. - Yes in person.
Talk with each other and find a middle ground.
Find which things you don't wanna give up...
Find where both of you match and can mix both cultures well together.
The environment in which you've been raised will be different.
And those differences must cause some problems.
And how would you resolve that?
Talk it out in person with each other.
Is international marriage OK? What are your opinions on it?
I think it's a great thing.
What potential problems do you see?
How would you resolve them?
Words.... And Culture.
But if you are together for a long time you'll be able to speak the language
You will also be able to understand the other's culture too.
Spending a long time together is important here.
Eating habits!
Japan has very different eating habits compared to other countries.
We are used to Japanese food here.
Not just having Japanese food or international food all the time...
instead taking turns, is probably for the best.
I think the language is an issue.
If I were to marry a French man, I would not be able to talk with his mother.
I think that's a big problem.
How would you resolve that?
Checking my phone for help from Google.
Say hello, and show her the phone with her language.
My problem would be not being able to see my family and parents...
If I were to go to a different country, I think it would be hard to find work too.
How would you resolve that?
Not seeing the family... take holidays in winter...
try to meet them. And work wise...
I think it would be better to go to a country with a strong economy.
For better prospects.
But if one in the marriage has to be in a certain country,
I think both won't regret that.
Deciding in which country to live and which culture to adopt...
That's a thing that you need to discuss with your whole family in my opinion.
Deciding if the child will live in the mother's or father's country...
Depending on if its Japan or abroad, the environment will be different.
And that will influence the child's growth too.
I think their children will have a hard time deciding which culture to adopt.
One solution would be to let the child go to both countries and
learn and experience both cultures.
How about you?
I am more into the Japanese culture...
but I think I would like to live a bit in France to learn more about that culture.
The culture difference!
Instead of just living a daily life, you need to know about each other's country.
I think there are definite differences, and to overcome those
you need to understand each other and work together where possible.
I think that's necessary.
I think you might get discriminated...
So you really need to support and strengthen each other.
After all the biggest issue is the language barrier.
I can only speak Japanese for example.
If I were to marry a girl from Sweden...
Oh dear, I can't speak that at all.
I need to really be determined and study that language.
Well English is the main language abroad right?
I think you need to be able to speak English.
You don't know if your cultures are different too.
I see a problem there.
How would you overcome that?
I would adapt to her culture.
I am that type of guy. I would adapt for her.
Instead of pushing my will through, I would adapt to her culture.
I think cultural differences are a big thing.
When you start liking each other's culture...
I think you can make things go alright.
I think the solution is to love each other's country.
Since the language will be different, he won't be able to understand my parents.
Instead I will have to make sure to tell them what he wants to say.
Otherwise things won't work out.I
I think it's really difficult when your language is not enough.
You might be limited as to what kind of work you're allowed to do in that country.
And also where you can live.
In Japan we have many "NO FOREIGNERS" apartments. Stuff like that.
How would you overcome that with your partner?
You might be able to find nice place over connections.
Have you ever thought about marrying someone from a different country?
I like Korea, so I thought about it a little.
If you were to marry, do you have country preferences?
Korea full on.
Where ....? I guess a place that speaks English.
English is easier to learn. I don't know Chinese and European languages.
If it was a country where I can use English, they could understand me.
I think the character is important. If he is kind, his country doesn't matter.
I don't have a preference.
For me it's Asia or America. Asia because it's easy to come home to Japan.
And America because I can communicate a little in English at least.
For me it's Japan or America.
Japan's food is tasty. It's a country I know well and feel safe in.
If I had to choose, I'd like to stay in Japan. I lived here all my life.
Staying in Japan is the most relaxed for me.
If I had to pick a country abroad, apart from France, ...
I'd like to live somewhere warm. A country where the ocean is close.
In those places people tend to be very friendly too.
Living there must be really fun.
Korea. Their men...
they have great ways to express their love.
At least that's what I have heard and seen.
That's why I like Korea.
I am totally into the faces of Russian men.
If there was a nice Russian man, I would love to marry him.
I wanna marry a girl from Sweden. There are so many beauties there, right!?
- Yes. - Knew it.
I like Korean girls. I am watching a concert of a Korean group today.
The United Kingdom... and Europe in general. Yes Europe.
Americans or Europeans!
They're cool.
America seems so much fun! I like it.
What do you think is so cool about American men?
I have the image that they are very upfront about their feelings.
I like that.
They're fun to be with, joking around and such.
- Australia. - Why so?
They have beautiful eyes.
At least that's my opinion.
I like people from France or Russia.
I heard that Canadian people are tolerant for foreigners.
Canadians seems to be very kind to be around with.
- Thanks so much. I had so much fun. - Me too
Those were some of the opinions that we got about international marriage.
Generally everyone said "Yes go for it"
There was no discrimination but some said they would stick with
either Asian countries or Japanese people.
while others said America, Europe, I am interested in maybe finding a different partner...
[director: *sneeze*]
Bless you!
Another interesting thing is, people think a lot about
the language barrier. Whether they can speak with their partner
If they can speak with their partner, can they speak with their
partner's parents. Here can you see, how important it is for Asian families
or for people in Japan to be able to communicate with the parents of the other.
And as well, which country they are gonna live in.
Are they gonna stay in Japan or follow their partner abroad.
Interesting to see what everyone has been thinking here. How about you?
What is your idea about international marriage,
where do you see difficulties, how would you solve them?
Would you like to live in your partner's country or stay in your own country?
Looking forward to reading your messages and catch you soon on Ask Japanese.