giri choco

Giri? Tomo? Gyaku? A guide to Japan’s many different kinds of Valentine’s Day chocolate

There’s more to Valentine’s chocolate in Japan than the infamous “obligation” type.

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Is the coronavirus going to kill Japan’s obligation chocolate Valentine’s Day custom?

For years, women in Japan have given chocolate to male coworkers for Valentine’s Day, but this year is probably going to be different.

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In Japan, women give “obligation chocolate” on Valentine’s Day, but do guys even want it?

Is it worth feeling obligated if the gesture isn’t much obliged?

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President of Japan’s obligation chocolate king sends personal letter to giri choco-hater Godiva

Things get personal, and sweet, in the latest chapter of the ongoing difference of opinions about a Japanese cultural tradition.

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Survey shows Japanese women would love to be getting some chocolate on Valentine’s Day too

New social movement gives rise to a new word: gyaku choco.

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Giri obligation chocolates seen as power harassment, more Japanese companies ban practice

Survey results indicate that Japan’s Valentine’s Day custom of giri choco may soon become a thing of the past. 

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Godiva takes swipe at Japan’s obligation chocolate king, Tokyo chocolatier fights fire with smile

Message from Belgian confectioner is a bolt from the blue, but the makers of Black Thunder are only too happy to play along.

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Tokyo opens entire store dedicated to helping women buy obligation chocolate for Valentine’s

The king of giri choco is here to help women who have to buy chocolate to give to all the guys they’re not attracted to on Valentine’s Day.

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Black Thunder shocks fans by suspending giri choco obligation chocolates on Valentine’s Day

A shock announcement from an avid supporter of Japan’s giri-choco tradition.

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Enjoy your night alone, and also some sweets.

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Tokyo chocolate maker that stood up to Godiva teams up with McDonald’s for Black Thunder McFlurry

Defender of Japan’s “obligation chocolate” culture tempts us with another cheap yet awesome dessert.

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This Valentine’s Day, tell him you don’t love him with Japanese women’s “chocolate maggot” recipe

A tasty, clever way to say “We’re just friends” in a country where women give chocolate to both lovers and platonic male acquaintances on February 14.

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Japanese confectioner has firm rebuttal to Godiva’s anti-obligation chocolate ad in Japan

With Valentine’s Day approaching, the Tokyo-based candy company says “You do you, and we’ll do us.”

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Survey reveals Japanese men really want home-made chocolate, but are women willing to make it?

In Japan, women give chocolate to men on Valentine’s Day, but are guys going to get what they really want?

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Godiva runs full-page ad asking Japanese women to stop buying so much Valentine’s chocolate

Belgian confectioner maker says enough is enough with Japan’s practice of women giving male coworkers “obligation chocolate.”

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Japanese women explain why they give “obligation chocolate” to male coworkers on Valentine’s Day

Despite the oppressive-sounding name, many see an upside to the practice.

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