Celebrating My 25 years Of International Marriage

Singaporean-Japanese Marriage

I met my husband Eric Lee, Singaporean, at a church in Tokyo when I moved from Fukuoka in mid 1981. Since then, Eric has been my best friend, true soul mate. I became a Christian in August 1981 and was the first one to become a Christian in my whole family tree. Not long after that, I decided to marry Eric.

I decided to release the news of those two most important decisions of my life at the same time to my mother who was in Fukuoka, Japan. During then and even now, the Christian population in Japan has been smaller than 0.5%. As the majority of the Japanese Christians are ladies, often times it is said that a girl is doomed to be a spinster once she becomes a Christian. So I figured out that if I told my mother that I had already found a husband to be, it would soften her shock over my becoming a Christian. Alas, I underestimated the gravity of these two news! In hearing my news, my mother had a "double punch shock" which caused her to be bedridden for 10 days, and had a 10 cm sized-bald patch at the top of her head. Who could imagine then that 5 years later, she herself became a Christian?

Any Question? Girls And Boys

It has been more than 25 years since I first stepped into Singapore to prepare for my international marriage. I thought it useful to share my experiences for the interest of anyone, especially the girls, who find it relevant - not only to those who are preparing to marry overseas but also for those who are contemplating of staying long term and settle down overseas. Do write to me if you wish to clarify more. I also look forward to communicate with young Japanese girls (and boys) who wants to become a Christian.

Yumiko Lee is founder of Japan hiWays. Born in Fukuoka, Japan, Yumiko married Eric Lee in 1984 and has since been staying in Singapore teaching Japanese with regular Japan Immersion Program for students and working adults. She provides information and news on Japanese Language, and Japanese Brands.