Japanese man, 32, marries ex-classmate's mother, 53, says it's 'love at first sight'

A man in Shizuoka, Japan married the woman of his dreams — having first encountered her at a parent-teacher meeting when he was a student.

She was the mother of his classmate.

But nothing came out of that.

On Feb. 16, the couple, who have a 21-year age gap, shared their story on Japanese talk show "Shinkon-san Irasshai!", which features newlywed couples who are interviewed by the show's hosts.

💐#新婚さんいらっしゃい!🕊️

📺きょう昼12時55分

⋰

💒夫は32歳、妻は53歳

なんと同級生の母親と結婚した新婚さん😳‼️

⋱

出会いは厳密に言うと学校の授業参観⁉️

結婚までの壁をどう乗り越えたのか👀

MC #井上咲楽 が

『結婚指輪の値段』と『夜事情』を

ズバリ質問！その仰天の回答とは🫣#藤井隆 pic.twitter.com/WaoFAMySAe

— ABCテレビ (@asahi_tv) February 16, 2025

First met during parent-teacher meeting

Isamu Tomioka, 32, and his wife Midori, 53, got married in 2023 after a long courtship, according to 8days and Japanese media.

Their first encounter was at a parent-teacher meeting during Isamu's schooling years.

However, they did not develop a connection then.

It was more than 10 years later that the two encountered each other again.

This time, Isamu was lovestruck and decided to pursue her.

At the time, Midori had just undergone a divorce.

Pursued her despite rejection

Isamu managed to ask her out for dinner through her daughter, his ex-classmate.

During the meal, Isamu confessed to Midori that he loved her "at first sight" and asked to go out with her.

However, the older woman initially rejected him, and asked why he was “saying such ridiculous things”.

This did not dissuade Isamu, who, for the next 30 days, asked her to go out on a date daily.

Isamu's affection was a source of emotional support for Midori, and she was touched by his actions.

She recalled how Isamu brought her to 40 illumination spots in a month after she said she loved to see illuminations.

On their 30th date, Isamu confessed his love again, but Midori rejected him as she was worried about how her daughter and society would view them.

Daughter gave her blessing

Midori would finally agree to date him after her daughter reassured her through a text message, telling her mother:

"If I'm the obstacle, don't worry about me. Just think about your own happiness, mum."

Initially, Midori's parents vehemently opposed the relationship.

According to broadcaster Abema TV, this was because Midori was already a grandmother of four at the time, and they hoped Isamu would reconsider so he would have a "normal marriage".

Undeterred, Isamu bought a house worth 38 million yen (S$339,834) to show his commitment to her.

And after winning her parents' approval, the couple finally married in 2023.

Top image from Abema TV