While men are typically expected to play the leading role in a romantic relationship, women are also often seen to make the first move. “I think because many Japanese men are nervous about speaking to the females in fear of getting rejected, they wait for the female to talk to them,” says Suzy, aged 31.

In the context of 2026 Japanese dating culture, women making the first move is increasingly common, though traditional social norms still lean toward the man initiating. A specific cultural phenomenon known as nikushokukei-joshi (carnivorous women) has existed for years to describe women who are proactive in pursuit. However, "proactive" in Japan often looks different than in the West; it may involve "planting seeds" or creating obvious opportunities for the other person to ask them out rather than a direct verbal confession (kokuhaku). Digital dating apps have further shifted this dynamic, allowing for more directness. Still, many Japanese women prefer to wait for a clear sign of interest from their partner to avoid the social awkwardness of a potential "loss of face," making the "first move" often a subtle, calculated game of mutual signals rather than an overt declaration.