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Today is “Men’s Valentine’s Day” in Japan, where guys give underwear to girls

Scott Wilson Sep 14, 2019
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Although before you go giving any spicy presents, maybe read this first.

Valentine’s Day in Japan is quite different than the rest of the world. Instead of couples giving each other gifts, women typically give chocolate to men, even if they’re not romantically involved or barely even acquaintances. Of course, men are expected to give back a month later on White Day, but that doesn’t always happen.

Perhaps in an effort to reduce some of Valentine’s Day’s “obligation” and increase its “copulation,” in 1991 the Japan Body Fashion Association declared September 14 to be “Men’s Valentine’s Day.” The date was chosen since it’s half a year after White Day (March 14), and it’s supposed to be a day where men confess their love to women and give them lingerie underwear as gifts.

▼ “I love you. Here’s some sexy underwear.”
…what could possibly go wrong?

Considering the Japan Body Fashion Association is an organization whose “goal is to contribute to the development of … lingerie, underwear, nightwear, and more,” it may seem a little opportunistic for them to suddenly create a holiday that perfectly fits their needs. But on the other side of the coin, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day and more pretty much only exist to sell cards and candy, so there’s that.

Even though Men’s Valentine’s Day isn’t a widely celebrated holiday in Japan, there are a lot of people who know about it. Here’s some tweets that were made on the occasion:

▼ “Men’s Valentine’s Day is a day where men give underwear as gifts…?”
(Comic translation below)

メンズバレンタインデーは男性から下着を贈る日…？ pic.twitter.com/0f1tew5OUk

— SUV (@suv032) September 14, 2019

“I’ll give you these freshly-removed ones.”
“I don’t think that’s what this is about.”

▼ “I heard it was Men’s Valentine’s Say.” (old picture)
(Comic translation below)

https://twitter.com/ortensiaxx3830/status/1172450655887187968

“Today (9/14) is Men’s Valentine’s Day! It’s a day where men give girls underwear as presents!
I got some for you, so will you wear it for me tonight? It’s a sexy design ♥”

“Absolutely no way.”

▼ This poll that asks women if they’d be happy to receive
a present of underwear with a confession of love. (Results below)

9月14日は
『メンズバレンタインデー』

男性が好きな女性に
下着を贈って愛を告白する日

女性に質問
貰えて嬉しいですか？
引かれるのでは。。。#アンケート #トリビアの里

— トリビアの里 ☆雑学＆アンケート (@questionnaire66) September 14, 2019

As of this writing, 11 percent said they’d be happy, 13 percent said they’d neither be happy nor dislike it, and 45 percent said they’d dislike it. 35 percent were men checking the responses.

Going by those statistics, you’re probably better off skipping this holiday if you’re a guy, unless you’re really sure about your love interest’s preferences.

▼ And then there’s this tweet that gives a strange insight into the holiday’s date choice.
(Comic translation below)

日付が変わって…
今日9月14日は #メンズバレンタインデー
『日本ボディファッション協会が1991年に制定しました。』

…男性から女性に下着を送って愛を告白する日なんだそうです！😳 ﾏｼﾞｶー⁈…ﾊﾂﾐﾐﾅﾝﾃﾞｽｶﾞ pic.twitter.com/mIHlZ1Q8gu

— kenの独り言…フォロバ100％ (@kenta_1985_11) September 13, 2019

The association that created the holiday doesn’t even do anything with it lol

And “September Valentine’s Day” is already a day where women break up with men…

Man: “Will you accept this gift?”
Woman: “Uh, boss, this is not really appropriate…”

“September Valentine” was already a thing in Japan before “Men’s Valentine’s Day.” Like the quote says, it’s a day where women who are on the fence about their boyfriends break up with them and move on, sometimes giving chocolate as a parting gift. It was popularized in the song “September Valentine” by singer Yukio Sasaki in the late 70s, and the radio program Back in Music in the 80s, both of which came before 1991.

But still, “Men’s Valentine’s Day” persists to today. Here’s some other sentiments from Japanese netizens:

“Even getting underwear I like from my boyfriend would be kind of weird. I think it’s something to discuss and confirm beforehand.”
“Confessing your love by giving a woman underwear is something you should only do if you’re super attractive.”
“Oh boy, this holiday is gonna lead to some people getting arrested.”

At the end of the day, no amount of “But it’s Men’s Valentine’s Day!” excuses are probably going to bring back your crush after you surprise her with an unwanted underwear gift. So if you’d rather not spend the real Valentine’s Day with a chocolate “self-sword polisher,” then maybe just stick to the tried and true presents of coffee, flowers, and booster pack of Pokémon cards.

Source: NNH via My Game News Flash, YouPouch
Top image: Pakutaso (1, 2) (Edited by SoraNews24)
Insert image: Pakutaso
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