Marrying in Japan : Waiting for a Father’s Approval, Sort of Photo by Belle Collective on Unsplash Scott Johnston Published in Japonica Publication 5 min read October 24, 2023 Published online at https://medium.com/japonica-publication/marrying-in-japan-e81b481dbc7d DC Palter mentioned in A Fond Farewell to the Mother-in-Law Who Refused to Allow Us to Marry about his Japanese mother-in-law being against his marriage. In my case, my soon-to-be father-in-law did not approve of the marriage. Following is a conversation between Yoko, my wife, and me discussing our courtship and marriage, which occurred about 40 years ago. I came to Japan as an assistant language teacher. Back then, it was called Mombusho English Fellow (MEF). I taught in prefectural high schools in Kanagawa Prefecture. Also, the Kanagawa Education Prefectural Center would send me out to teach at places, such as community centers. One day, I was se