I’ve known this new word ‘konkatsu‘ lately. I can guess the meaning easily because there is another prevailed word ‘shukatsu’.
‘Shukatsu’ is written with two kanji like this. ‘ 就活 ‘ It’s an abbreviation for ‘就職活動’ /shushoku katsudo that means ‘job-hunting’. That is to take interviews or exams for applicants.
‘Konkatsu/婚活’ is also an abbreviation for ‘結婚活動/kekkon katsudo’. ’結婚’ means marriage. So, guess what!
They have got to take interviews and exams to meet their partner? They have to dress up to pretend like good person?
The people who make up these new words must have a plot. They try young people to feel rushed to get married and persuade to join the marriage agencies! http://www.y-works.jp/
Don’t be deceived, ladies and gentlemen! Don’t be rushed and don’t fake yourself!
***heenai heenai *** 
In this technological age, everyone feels isolated and lonely. Everywhere, people are desperate to find a soulmate.
Yes, you’re right. They don’t have enough time to live the real lives, and don’t know how to make it by themselves.
Sounds like speed dating to me. To find a soul-mate is never easy and will never be easy as its such a deep journey to find one. Well Naoko, I shall be back visiting your blog when I return from my break. Please take care and catch up with you soon.
I wonder if there is any old customs in your country that some elder people take care of young people’s marriage like personal counselor as called ‘o-miai’? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omiai
In Japan, some people get married by their helps.
Sorry for the late reply on your comment ^_^ Well in the years gone by we had arranged marriages between family. I know my mother and my father are cousins. This tradition is no longer practised in my community. The new generation (like me hehe) are now bold enough in making their own decision on whom they choose to marry. In the past lineage is very important to keep one’s family status. My late grandfather was very strict on that but his granddaughters were very rebellious against his wishes ^_^
Thank you. It’s very interesting. I’m interested in marriage, funerals and other customs in foreign countries 😀
It seems very diverse but basic ideas are universal.
So do I! I am very interested in other countrys marriage, funerals and the customs. Thats what make our cultures diversified and very beautiful to see and experience. Maybe you can blog one day about the marriage traditions in Japan and I’ll do one of my country ^_^
I’m glad that my family does not pressure me into getting married. I’m also happy that I have as many friends who are happily married as friends who are happily single. So I don’t have any need for konkatsu any time soon 🙂
There is a dorama called Konkatsu if I am not mistaken?
Wow! you know better than me about the Japanese dorama! yes, you’re right.
I didn’t know that until I searched some informations about ‘konkatsu’.
There is not only one ‘konkatsu’ drama but a few!
This has already been aired,
http://www.nhk.or.jp/drama/dramalist/konkatsu.html
and this one will start from 20th.
http://blog.television.co.jp/entertainment/entnews/2009/03/20090319_07.html
Can you see the Japanese doramas in same time with Japan?
Do you have any favorite Japanese actors/actoress?
Mine are Masaharu Fukuyama,Toru Nakamura and Kuranosuke Sasaki. hehe 😀
Ohisashiburi Naoko-san!!!
I love Masha too! Such a great, great voice. My favorite Fukuyama Masaharu dorama is Galileo. And Sasaki Kuranosuke is one of my favorite actors too (Iryu is the best!). Nakamura Toru, I think I only saw him once in…Shaolin Girl? That movie with Shibasaki Kou ^_^
O genki deshita ka?
Yeah! I really love his voice. Masaharu has a very sexy voice, doesn’t he? I don’t think he is so talented in acting, but his songs are so lovely!!!
Toru Nakamura has played many somehow dark roles these days, but he is very funny guy in real life, and I love his smile.
Kuranosuke is not an orthodox handsome actor but his performances are very impressive.
I have read about Konkatsu the new dorama at http://www.japinoy.com.
How I wish I could watch Japanese doramas as they are shown! Unfortunately, I have to wait a while before I see them. I do not have cable TV, but even with cable, there is time delay I think?
I like a number of Japanese actors and actresses: Kimura Takuya, Odagiri Jo, Miyazaki Aoi, Nakama Yukie… By the way, I am watching the old dorama “Long Vacation.” Have you seen it? I just love Kimura-san in that series! I like doramas with music or food in them 🙂
I google-searched your favorite actors to see if I have seen any dorama with any of them. I recognize Kuranosuke Sasaki! I like him in “Bambino” and in “Zettai Kareshi.” Fukuyama-san is also a singer. すごい！I will see if I can get copy of his songs. I have a copy of the movie “Limit of Love” where Toru Nakamura has a role. I have not watched it though.
Good points Naoko-san. My wife and I dated for a long time (3-4 years) before we got married, and our marriage is just fine. We did not rush it. 🙂
Hi,
Thank you for linking!
nice post naoko-san. i think its nice when people meet their partner like this. i know its old-fashioned but its also kind of cute when you do お見合い. its also very similar to muslim culture. even here in england, muslims do omiae meetings.
anyway i’ve nearly finished watching the konkatsu dorama and i love it. 上戸彩はかわいいですよ！笑
I think it’s good tradition to find their partner with omiai, but old-fashioned omiai was supported by who really want to help young people, and they were voluntary or think it was their honor. However, these new-type omiai agents look business-driven for me.
上戸彩ちゃんは本当にかわいいね。 She is loved by women, too.
あ、すみません！ i didn’t read your post properly. i understand what you mean now about the business-driven omiai agents. kind of like まこと in the konkatsu dorama. but makoto is a funny character and she seems to be honest but i totally agree with you that maybe omiai can be mis-used to make money.
お返事ありがとうございます。
Been observing your web log for 2 weeks now and i should tell I am starting to like your blog. How do i subscribe to your web log?