3. A translating error back in the 1930s means that only women give Valentine’s Day gifts in Japan
When Valentine’s Day was introduced to Japan in 1936 – by a chocolate company, of course – it was embraced as a day for women to treat their loved ones. The meaning of the day was mistranslated and, from then on, it was only loved-up females buying gifts. That tradition continues to this day. To make up for this, a new tradition was also invented: Exactly one month after Valentine’s Day, Japanese men would return the favor, buying the special ladies in their lives chocolates or other romantic gifts.
