Hello, this is Naoko Matsumoto, Founder & CEO of TJM.

“When will I meet the one?”

“Will that day ever actually come for me?”

If you have been searching for a partner for a while, you might have nights where these anxieties creep in. I understand that feeling well.

But, let me assure you of one thing: Love stories truly unfold when you least expect them.

Yesterday, nothing happened. Today, your life changes forever. This is the reality of international matchmaking.

Today, I want to share a heartwarming—and motivating—story about a couple who met at our Tokyo event last November. It is a story of a miracle, but also a story of inevitability.

My hope is that by the time you finish reading this, a small flame will light up in your heart, telling you, “I’m next.”

The Miracle in Tokyo. How 2 Minutes Changed Everything.

Let’s turn the clock back to November 8th and 9th, 2025. We were hosting our International Marriage Meetup event in Tokyo.

The venue was filled with energy. Serious Japanese women seeking a life partner, and gentlemen who had crossed the ocean to find them. Among them was Ms. K, a lovely female member who flew all the way from the Kansai region (Western Japan) just to attend.

“Flying to Tokyo for an event.” It sounds simple, but it requires significant effort. The cost of flights, the time off, the preparation—every action she took showed her strong will: “I want to change my life.”

And waiting for her there was Mr. J, a male member living near Baltimore, Maryland, USA (near Washington, DC).

During the event, we rotate members so everyone gets a chance to speak. The time per person is short. In fact, Ms. K and Mr. J only had about “2 minutes” face-to-face during their initial rotation because we had over 40 participants!

Two minutes. That’s shorter than the time it takes to cook instant noodles. But those two minutes determined the rest of their lives.

If Ms. K had thought, “Tokyo is too far, I’ll pass this time.” If Mr. J had thought, “I’ll just go to Japan next year instead.”

This meeting never would have happened. From the moment they both decided to “Show Up” and sat in those chairs, the gears of destiny began to turn.

Crossing the Ocean: A “Speed Decision”

After the event concluded, Mr. J returned to the US, and Ms. K returned to Kansai. From there, a long-distance relationship across the Pacific began.

Usually, building a relationship solely through text and video chat is extremely difficult. Time differences and the lack of physical presence can often lead to misunderstandings.

However, this couple was different. When two hearts are aimed at the same goal, physical distance isn’t an obstacle. Instead, it acts as a spice that intensifies the desire to see each other.

And then, something amazing happened. Just a little over a month after they first met, she decided to fly to the US in late December.

Think about that speed. “What about my work schedule?” “Is my English good enough?” “What if it doesn’t work out?” Most people would hesitate, overthink, and stall. But she leaped over those hurdles effortlessly.

This “Speed of Decision” was the ultimate proof of her sincerity to him. It is easy to say “I like you” over text. But there is no greater message of love than getting on a plane to come see you.

Reunion in the US : Moving from Dating to Marriage

At the end of the year, Ms. K arrived in Baltimore. As fate would have it, Mr. J lives only about 30 minutes from my home!

We met at a nice restaurant in Baltimore, right on the waterfront, and we had a lovely lunch together. Seeing them there, smiling and relaxed next to each other, felt completely different from the nervous energy at the Tokyo event just a month prior.

And the topic of conversation at lunch? Believe it or not, we were already discussing “Visa Applications.”

“Already!?” You might be surprised. They had only known each other for less than two months. In a standard dating scenario, you might still be deciding where to go for the next dinner date.
However, in international marriage, “Talking about the Visa = Talking about the future.” She has a responsible career in Japan. To report to her company that she is getting married, she needs a concrete plan—not just a romantic daydream. She needs to know the timeline for resignation and relocation.
In Japanese corporate culture, there is an unspoken rule that you must inform your superiors well in advance. Understanding this, she wasn’t just floating in a dream; she was grounding their relationship in reality, moving forward with speed and precision alongside him.
This practical approach is the reality of a mature, serious international marriage.

The Real Meaning of a “Miracle”

Reading this, you might think, “Wow, what a lucky couple. It’s a miracle.” Yes, love stories often feel like miracles. One day, the person standing in front of you turns out to be your destiny. That is true. But a miracle is never just a “coincidence.”

Ms. K had been preparing for this moment for a long time—studying English, refining herself, and never giving up on her goal of meeting a partner abroad. And Mr. J sought a serious encounter with a Japanese woman, paid for the tour, took time off work, and physically traveled to Japan.

Because they both had “Desire (Wish)” and “Intention,” and translated that into “Action,” the “Result” (their meeting in Tokyo) was born.

If she had stayed home because “Tokyo is too far away.” If he had stayed in the US thinking “I’ll just use an app.” This happy photo of them would not exist.

Destiny doesn’t just fall from the sky while you wait on the couch. Destiny is what you bump into when you turn the corner because you got up and started walking.

2026: It Is Your Turn

This story isn’t a fairytale about special people. This is a reality that could happen to YOU, the person reading this right now.

“Maybe it’s impossible for me.” “My Japanese isn’t good enough.” “I’m too busy with work.”

You can find a million reasons not to do it. But only those who take that step, like Mr. J and Ms. K, hold love in their hands across the ocean.

Results are born only within Action. Don’t just “kind of” want it. Act with “Intention.”

Decide right now: “I will find my partner in 2026.” Then, go to the places where you need to be. That small step might lead to your own life-changing “2 minutes.”
[Announcement] We are planning events for 2026!
We are fully committed to supporting your “Intentional Action.” We are currently planning more matchmaking events for 2026.
Details will be announced in this newsletter and on our social media. Please keep an eye out so you don’t miss the opportunity. When registration opens, don’t hesitate—jump in.
I pray for Ms. K and Mr. J’s everlasting happiness. And I truly hope that the next person I have lunch with in Baltimore… is YOU.

New Year’s First ZOOM Matching Event

We are hosting our first online ZOOM matching event of 2026!

February In-Person Event Survey

We are currently planning an in-person event for February. We are adjusting the dates and times. We would appreciate it if you could answer a quick survey regarding your availability. [Link to Survey Here]

When I saw the photo of the two of them at lunch in Baltimore, they truly looked like the perfect match. Seeing the warmth in their eyes as they looked at each other… there is no greater joy for a matchmaker. Baltimore was cold at the end of the year, but around those two, it felt like spring had already arrived!

Naoko Matsumoto
Founder and CEO
Traditional Japanese Matchmaker

Traditional Japanese Matchmaker is the best dating and matchmaking service that is specialized for single international professionals and Japanese women established in 1999. Please click the link below to get started with TJM’s Free Registration if you are truly interested. We look forward to assisting you in finding your Japanese wife.

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