Valentine’s Day celebrations in Japan are structurally different from other countries, but the basic concept is the same: Couples go out on dates, and those who are still unattached hint at their interest in each other with gifts and messages.
Japan splits the gift-giving into two separate days. On Feb. 14, women give men gifts, often chocolate, and men reciprocate a month later on March 14, known as White Day.
Of course, there is some strategy involved. It’s still customary for women to give out 義理チョコ (giri choco, obligatory chocolate) to their male colleagues (although the tradition is increasingly becoming a thing of the past), and some may prepare a special gift for a coworker they have a crush on. If the crush responds with an equally special gift, or asks them out on a date, this opens the door to a romantic connection.