[StangGuy]

Here are some observations from my time in the Japanese dating pool as a white guy. I hope you find some of it helpful.

1.) Unless a Japanese woman has a ring on her finger or is in a very long term relationship she isn't taken. Ask her if she is single and she will say "yes" unless she is married. And If she just has a boyfriend or is dating a guy chances are she will have no problems with going on a "date" date and not just going out for a drink after work.

2.) Unless she knows how old you are allready she probably thinks you are around 30. I can't count how many times a person asked how old I was and then was suprised when I told them I was only 24. The reactions from women in there late 20's or early 30's depended on how well I knew them before they found out my age. Generally, the better we knew each other before she found out my age the less she cared I was younger.

3.) If she has a boyfriend absolutely keep any overtures towards her discreet. From my talking with locals the approach to relationships, dating, and sex is "If you didn't see it, it didn't happen and if you only saw it by accident, it didn't happen either" I think this explains the willingness to date multiple people. If you are in a restaurant or bar that your coworkers and friends don't frequent but for some reason they see you there they won't say anything. On the other hand if you are in a popular club and are spotted together expect something to be said.

4.) 1.) and 3.) have an interesting interaction when it comes to the boyfriend. If for some reason he sees the two of you together and it can't be easily explained any chance you had with her is gone. Because of this I would suggest that any early dates be going out after work and try to bring another friend or coworker with you. Another way to maintain the "just coworkers" cover is to mention that you would like to eat some strange type of food eg. whale, that you can't get back home and she might suggest going out and to a restraunt together.