Coming up this week is a special event known as Valentine’s Day.

The streets are filled with the sweet tempting smell of chocolates and the bright decorations.

Young women walking in the town seem to be excited too.

This may be a well-known story, but the Japanese custom to give chocolates on Valentine’s Day started as a marketing strategy by the confectionary industry. It later spread, and became a ritual for this particular day.

In Japan, the girl usually gives chocolates to the person she has feelings for. However, in the U.S., both men and women send cards to the ones they love.

Valentine’s Day originated in Ancient Rome.

Back then, soldiers were prohibited from marriage, as it would become a distraction from their military duties. Saint Valentine supported their prohibited love, and against the Roman Church, he officiated marriages in secret.

He even urged the Roman Church to reconsider and to change this evil rule, however, that backfired and eventually he was killed.

That day was February 14. Christians later changed the rule and celebrated the courageous Saint Valentine on this day.

For better or for worse, Japanese customs are made by incorporating many religions and cultures, and they celebrate Christmas, Halloween, and New Years without any true religious meaning.

Perhaps, this diversity and inclusiveness makes Japan the peaceful country it is.