Valentine's Day is here! Don't worry, the feast of love is not cancelled in France or Japan! With the pandemic some no longer believed it. Well, for sure this year we will not be able to celebrate it as usual. Despite this, some traditions will remain. In Japan, it is the girls who offer chocolates for Valentine's Day. Just Focus takes you to discover this tradition.
Japan imports Valentine's Day
Originally, Valentine's Day is a Western holiday with roots dating back to the Roman era. Although Valentine's Day was not originally a romantic holiday, the association of this day with chocolates is made by an Englishman. In 1861, the British chocolatier, Richard Cadbury was the first to sell boxes of heart-shaped chocolates. To appeal to Victorian audiences, he said that clubs had a dual role. Not only did the box have delicious chocolates but, once consumed, the box could be used to store his cards or love letters. The marketing machine launched, this idea wreaks havoc on the markets and gains worldwide popularity over the years. 
This is how the romantic party was imported to Japan in the late 50s, by a confectionery company called Morinaga. Unlike in France, where men offer flowers to their girlfriend, in Japan it is women who offer chocolates to the chosen one of their heart. It is said that, due to a translation error, the Morigana company presented Valentine's Day to the Japanese public as "a day when women offer chocolates to men". And it is according to these statements that this party has persisted.
Types of Valentine's Day chocolates
During Valentine's Day, you can find hundreds of delicious chocolates in supermarkets, shopping malls and pastry shops/chocolate shops. But, for the Japanese, there is a "hierarchy" of chocolates to respect. Yuichiro (41) explains, "Not all chocolates are the same. There is a feeling of discomfort if you do not offer chocolates to others. So we give several types."
The "Giri-Chocos"
The " Giri-Chocos" (義理チョコ) are literally translated as "chocolates of obligation/courtesy". These are the chocolates offered to office colleagues, friends or family, without having any romantic affection behind them. Very often these chocolates are bought by Japanese women to offer to their relatives, friends or colleagues as a mark of politeness or social obligation. 
The "Tomo-Chocos"
"Tomo-Chocos" (友チョコ) are "friendship" chocolates that women offer to their friends. This is a slightly more recent tradition compared to other categories of chocolates. Quite similar to the concept of "Galentines day" (Valentine's Day between girlfriends), high school girls offer each other chocolates to show their friendly affection. 
The "Honmei-Chocos"
The " Honmei-Chocos" (本命チョコ) are the "chocolates of love/destiny". Offered to the lover, husband or boyfriend, these chocolates represent the love that a woman has for someone. These chocolates can either be homemade or bought. Usually, if these chocolates are bought, they are excellent quality chocolates. Dramas and shojo manga have also helped make the idea of giving chocolates to your loved one popular with girls. 
The "Jibun-Chocos"
Just because someone is single doesn't mean they can't receive chocolates! "Jibun-Chocos" (自分チョコ) are the chocolates that we offer to ourselves! And why not? There is nothing wrong with loving yourself and indulging in yourself.
A tradition that starts young
Although giving chocolates can be done at any age, we often find the exchange of chocolates in middle and high school. Although, for the couple Eri (40 years old) and Raphaël (35 years old), the exchange begins even younger. "We can give each other chocolates as early as kindergarten or primary school. But it will rather be "tomo-choco" that the girls give to each other." Despite the popularization of the chocolate exchange, in normal times, students are technically not allowed to bring chocolates or candies to school. The reason is that confectionery is not good for your health. "But on Valentine's Day, they let it happen," laughs Yuichiro. We all know the images of manga or anime where a boy receives a lot of chocolates from different people. But from time to time, it happens in real life. Yuichiro remembers a little 'rivalry' between boys during the party. "Between boys, we looked at who received the most (chocolates). If a boy received more, it meant he was more popular." 
"White Day" in Japan: back to sender
Unlike in the West where, once Valentine's Day has passed, we no longer think about it, in Japan there is another tradition. March 14 is White Day. On this day, boys and men who received chocolates should return the favor to all the women and girls who gave them chocolates. "In our culture, when you get a gift, you have to do the same," Eri explains. In Japan, reciprocity is very important, it's called Okaeshi. An integral part of Japanese culture, the custom of Okaeshi requires that a person who has received a gift must give a gift in return. Not to do so would be frowned upon by the Japanese community. During White Day, boys traditionally give white gifts. This can be marshmallows, cookies or candy, to name a few. A modern trend has emerged among young people. It is that of "Gyaku-Choco" (逆チョコ). These chocolates are the ones that boys offer to girls in return. There is also another rule for White Day. It is that of sanbaigaeshi (三倍返し). It means "returning three times the value" of the original gift. If a man receives chocolates from a woman, he must give her a gift of three times the value of the chocolates. Suffice to say that, for both men and women, the Valentine's Day period in Japan requires a certain budget! Despite the very commercial aspect of these two holidays, Valentine's Day remains a day to appreciate and demonstrate all types of love.
