Japanese ex-gravure idol married to Singaporean says Singaporean men are ‘very kind’, shares realities of international marriage

Former Japanese gravure idol Mariya Tachibana has opened up about her experience being married to a Singaporean, sharing that while cultural differences can be challenging, she finds Singaporean men “very kind”.

In an Instagram video, the 34-year-old responded to questions she frequently receives about international marriage.

Gravure idols are Japanese glamour models who typically appear in magazines, photobooks, and DVDs.

Dated for two years before getting married

Tachibana shared that she and her Singaporean husband first met at their previous workplace. After dating for two years, the couple got married.

She announced their marriage on Instagram on 12 Aug 2025, sharing that they held their solemnisation at Siloso Beach in Sentosa.

Tachibana described her husband as a sincere and kind person. When she realised he was someone who would always cherish her, she knew he was the person she wanted to build a happy home with.

She has also shared glimpses of their relationship online, including her husband’s surprise proposal to her at Disneyland.

In her caption, she said the proposal happened during a trip to Japan, in front of both their families and her close friend. Her husband proposed using both Japanese and English.

Says cultural differences can be ‘huge’

According to Tachibana, one of the biggest challenges in an international relationship is navigating differences in language and culture, which can be “huge”.

“‘Normal’ is often different,” she wrote. “But that’s true for any couple — it’s all about compromise.”

She said understanding each other’s perspectives is important in making the relationship work.

Tachibana also revealed that she and her Singaporean husband mainly communicate in English.

Jokingly addressing her husband in the post, she wrote: “Please learn Japanese faster…”

She admitted that she struggled with English at the start of their relationship and could barely hold proper conversations then.

“But you get used to it,” she said. “Little by little, I started speaking more, and now we communicate just fine.”

That said, she still uses translation apps occasionally to help her learn.

‘I think Singaporean men are very kind’

Although many people assume international marriages are difficult, Tachibana said her experience has been largely positive.

“You get to learn new cultures and understand different perspectives,” she shared. “It really opens up your world, and every experience becomes something special.”

She also said that, in her personal opinion, Singaporean men are “very kind”.

“I definitely recommend international marriage!” she concluded.

Tachibana’s Instagram profile states that this is her fifth year living in Singapore.

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