A former Japanese gravure idol who moved to Singapore to study English has shared how she unexpectedly found love with a Singaporean man and eventually decided to make Singapore her long-term home.
Mariya Tachibana, now 34, relocated from Japan to Singapore in 2021 under a study abroad programme.
Originally from Kanagawa Prefecture, she previously worked in Japan’s gravure industry, a form of glamour modelling commonly associated with swimsuit and lingerie photography.
What began as a move to improve her English skills eventually turned into a cross-cultural love story after she met her future Singaporean husband while both were working at a Japanese company in Singapore.
The couple has now been married for three years.
“Singaporean Men Are Very Kind”
In a recent social media post discussing international marriage, Tachibana spoke positively about Singaporean men and life in Singapore.
She shared that her husband initially was not her ideal type, but she gradually became attracted to his calm personality and considerate nature.
According to her, Singaporean men tend to be thoughtful and caring in everyday life.
She also revealed that communication was difficult during the early stages of their relationship because her English proficiency was limited at the time.
Simple conversations reportedly took much longer because the couple frequently relied on translation applications to communicate.
Despite the language barrier, she said her husband’s personality and emotional support convinced her that she wanted to build a future with him.
Marriage Proposal Happened At Tokyo Disneyland
Two years after they started dating, her Singaporean partner proposed to her during a trip to Tokyo Disneyland.
The proposal reportedly took place in front of her mother, best friend and his family members.
Tachibana explained that she had previously joked about wanting a proposal surrounded by the most important people in her life, but her husband unexpectedly took the idea seriously and organised the surprise.
The couple later got married four months after the proposal.
Former Gravure Career Did Not Become Major Issue
Tachibana also addressed concerns she initially had regarding how Singaporeans might react to her past career in the gravure entertainment industry.
She explained that gravure modelling is generally viewed as a normal profession in Japan, but she was unsure whether Singaporeans would judge her differently because such work is less common locally.
However, she said her husband was not bothered by her past career and reacted casually when he learned about it.
According to her, he simply joked that it explained why she was “so cute”.
Says Singapore Feels Less Judgmental
Now more comfortable speaking English, Tachibana said she has also started picking up Singlish expressions such as “lah” and “lor” during daily conversations.
She described Singaporeans as generally kinder and less judgmental compared to what she experienced in Japan.
Tachibana shared that colleagues in Singapore often encouraged her to continue speaking English even when she made mistakes, helping her gain confidence while adapting to life overseas.
She also praised her Singaporean in-laws for being warm and supportive.
Although she admitted that cultural and language differences still occasionally create misunderstandings during arguments, she said the relationship remains fulfilling overall.
Her husband has reportedly been supportive whenever she wants to return to Japan for visits, reassuring her that she can stay there for extended periods without worrying about responsibilities at home.
“I Prefer Singapore”
While Tachibana said she still loves and misses Japan, she believes she made the right decision by building her life in Singapore.
She acknowledged that marrying a Japanese man and remaining in Japan may have been the easier path, but added that she has no regrets about her decision.
According to her, Singapore now feels more like home, and she believes she can remain here “a long, long time”.