🌸From Mr. J

We came across Naoko’s matchmaking service, did some research and then decided to give it a try. There was a strange combined feeling of hope, excitement, adventure, relief and reservation all rolled into one during the membership enrollment. However, signing up for this service turned out to be one of the best life decisions we each made.

Ms. T and I (Mr. J) enrolled in Naoko’s service within a month apart. We were then introduced to potentially compatible profiles, got matched and had our first video call. Talking to Ms. T during that first video call was interesting because of the natural free-flowing conversations and the similar life goals we both shared. After that first video call and sensing that we could be each other’s potential, Ms. T and I continued communicating via LINE messaging/texts and more video calls.

We decided to meet in person in Ms. T’s hometown in Japan for the first time, two months later. It was Sakura 2023. Despite the calm and breathtaking view of radiant cherry blossom trees, we were both nervous before and after a few minutes into that first meeting. That unexplained nervousness quickly fizzled out and we resumed where we had left off from our religious texting and video calls. She showed me popular local landmarks, cultures and delicious food (ramen!). We also decided to be exclusive (in a relationship) in that trip. I had a fabulous time and saw many things in Japan but more importantly, I saw a glimpse of being together long term.

One of the first things we decided in this relationship was to meetup in-person at least once in two months, in addition to the texting and video calls. Two months later I was back in Japan, and racking up more frequent flyer miles in the process. We did a road trip and stayed in an Airbnb for a week. We learned much more about each other and enjoyed our time doing things together.

Ms. T came to visit me in the US on the next meetup. I played the host to show her cool spots in the area/neighborhood. She had a good time and we also celebrated her birthday together in the same trip. According to her, eating street tacos was the most unique highlight of the trip. We briefly kept Naoko posted regarding our relationship’s development and she offered us feedback along the way.

I proposed to Ms. T in late 2023. Thankfully, she accepted my improvised proposal. We then met each other’s parents and they were delighted to usher in a new family member. Three months ago, we had a wedding dinner attended by family members and very close friends. Family members and friends from both sides met and mingled; a majority of them for the first time. Everyone had a good time and we were glad that all the behind-the-scene hard work put in to organize that wedding dinner had paid off.

We are happily married and today is our first marriage anniversary. We are currently waiting for Ms. T’s paperwork approval to permanently reside in the US. We constantly look forward to be together soonest possible. Until then, we will continue with our newfound hobby to collect frequent flyer miles.


Thank you Naoko and your team for matching two individuals across the Pacific Ocean.

🌸From Ms. T

私がTJMのサービスを選んだきっかけは、「好奇心」からです。大学進学で上京してからずっと住んでいた東京を離れ、地元にUターンをしたばかりの頃でした。久しぶりの地方生活は時の流れが緩やかで、親しい友人も少なく、週末は暇を持て余していました。そんな時に目に飛び込んできたのが「国際結婚相談所」の文字。すぐさま好奇心をくすぐられた私は、その1か月後にはTJMのサービスに入会していました。国際恋愛の経験もないうえに、英語は話せないし、旅行好きでもなければ、婚活を積極的にしていたわけでもない⋯。我ながらよく好奇心だけで、国際結婚相談所に入ったと思います（笑）。

TJMのサービスに期待していたことは、マッチメイカーの方にお見合い相手を紹介していただけることです。“プロがお薦めしてくれる方なら、きっと自分にぴったりのパートナーなのだろう”という期待感がありました。おそらく結婚適齢期を過ぎ、恋愛や結婚に関しては自分の人を見る目を信用しないほうがいい、と思っていたからかもしれません。入会してからは期待以上の展開が待っていました。

入会後すぐの2023年2月にJさんとお見合いをし、4月にJさんが来日。そこからエクスクルーシブの関係に進展して、12月に日本で籍を入れました。現在はアメリカ移住に向けて、配偶者ビザが下りるのを今か今かと待ちわびているところです。あまりのスピード感に私自身が驚いています！

Jさんとは私の地元で初めて会ったのですが、その直前に代表の直子さんにコンサルティングをしていただきました。その時のアドバイスを今でもよく覚えています。

「ツアーコンダクターになったらダメですよ」。

以前、日本人女性が来日したアメリカ人男性に対してリードしすぎてしまったことが原因で上手くいかなかったとか⋯。正直このアドバイスがなかったら、私もそうなっていたかもしれません。私に会うためにJさんが地元に来てくれることは本当に嬉しかったのですが、観光地と言うには物足りない田舎町を楽しんでもらえるのだろうか、とプレッシャーを感じていたからです。完璧なスケジュールを組んで、素敵な場所に連れていかなきゃ！と思い込んでいました。

でも直子さんの的確なアドバイスのおかげで肩の力が抜け、自然体でJさんと会うことができました。実際、Jさんは何度も来日したことがあり、バックパッカースキルを持ち合わせているので、私の下手な案内は必要ありませんでした。今では、東京でもどこでも、Googleマップを片手にどんどん進んでいくJさんの後に付いていくのが、私たちのスタイルになっています（Jさんにも友人にも「どっちが観光客か分からない！」と笑われます）。

恐らくTJMの女性会員の方で、私と同じように英語に自信がない方もいるのでは？と想像します。結婚して思うのは、英語はできるに越したことはないということ。英語でも日本語でも良いのですが、大なり小なりさまざまな話し合いが必要な結婚生活で、共通言語で理解し合えることは重要だと思います。

ただ不思議なのですが、英語が話せなかったからJさんと結婚できたようにも思います。英語が話せない私とコミュニケーションを続けてくれたJさんは、とても忍耐強く、第二言語を学ぶ難しさを理解していて、日本語を積極的に学ぼうとしてくれる。その優しさに触れ、安心して心を開くことができました。

違う視点で言うと、もし私が英語を流暢に話せていたとしたら、言葉で取り繕い、自分をよく見せようとしたり、相手に合わせすぎたりしていたかもしれません。英語ができなかったから、結果的に素の自分を見せることができ、それを逃げずに受け止めてくれるJさんの懐の深さに救われ、私も諦めないで向き合うことができました。英語が話せなかったこと、それが結婚につながった理由の一つだと思っています。

Jさんの行動力には本当に驚かされます。現在はまだアメリカと日本での別居婚ですが、Jさんは「日本に住んでいるのでは？」と思うほど、距離を感じさせません。今年のバレンタインデーにもサプライズで来日して、颯爽と目の前に現れました。それなのに私はと言うと、Jさんがまさか日本にいるなんて思ってもいないので、Jさんに気づかずスルーしてしまいました（笑）。お互い記憶力がわりと良い方なので、その時のことを何度も思い出して笑い合うのが本当に楽しいです！


そして、これを書いている本日、結婚一周年を迎えることができました。Jさんというかけがえのないパートナーに出会えたことは、間違いなく、私の人生に起きた最良の出来事でした。この先どんなことがあっても、感謝の気持ちを忘れず、夫と共に歩んでいきたいと思います。直子さん、サポートいただいた皆さん、本当にありがとうございました。

 I joined TJM purely out of curiosity. Having recently moved back to my hometown after spending years in Tokyo, I was feeling a bit lost. The slower pace of life in a smaller town, coupled with fewer close friends, left me with a lot of free time on my weekends. That’s when I came across international marriage counseling services. It instantly piqued my interest, and within a month, I’d signed up for TJM. I had no experience with international dating, couldn’t speak English very well [actually she is acting modest since she speaks English very well – Ed.], and wasn’t actively looking for a partner. Looking back, I’m still amazed that I joined an international marriage agency on a whim!”

I was hoping that TJM’s matchmakers would introduce me to someone who would be a good fit for me. I figured that since I was getting on in years, it might be wise to rely on the expertise of professionals to help me find a partner.

I met J for the first time in February 2023 and we hit it off right away. He visited Japan in April and we became exclusive shortly after. We got married in Japan in December. Now we’re just waiting for my spousal visa so we can move to the US. It’s all happened so fast, I can’t believe it!

I met J for the first time in my hometown. Right before, I had a chat with Naoko, the agency’s representative. She gave me some great advice: “Don’t try to be a tour guide.” She told me about a time when a Japanese woman had been too pushy with a foreign visitor, and it hadn’t worked out. I’m so glad she told me that because I was feeling the same way. I was really excited to show J around my hometown, but I was worried he’d be bored. I was planning to cram in all the sights and activities.

Naoko’s advice really helped me to relax and just be myself when I met J. It turns out he’s been to Japan loads of times and is a real pro at traveling, so I didn’t need to worry about being a good tour guide. Now, we’ll just grab our phones and head off exploring wherever J wants to go. People always ask us who the tourist is!

Happy first anniversary to us! Meeting J has been the best part of my life. I’m so grateful to have him as my partner. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us. Thank you, Naoko, and to everyone who helped us get to where we are today.

I’m sure there are plenty of other women at TJM who feel the same way about their English as I did. After getting married, I’ve learned that while you don’t have to be perfect, it’s really helpful to share a common language. Whether it’s English or Japanese, being able to communicate openly is so important for a happy marriage.

It’s strange, but I think not being able to speak English actually helped me find love with J. He was so patient with me and really wanted to learn Japanese, which made me feel really comfortable around him. His kindness helped me open up to him completely.

I often think about how things might have been different if I could speak English well. Maybe I would have tried to put on a show or change myself to fit in. But because I couldn’t, I had to be myself. J was so patient and accepting, and that made me feel really comfortable being honest with him. I think not being able to speak English was actually a blessing in disguise.

J always blows me away with how much he does. Even though we live in different countries, it never feels like it. For Valentine’s Day, he surprised me by flying all the way over! I was so shocked that I actually walked right past him without realizing it was him. We both have great memories, so we laugh about it all the time.