In Japan, a man named Yoshitaka, who had been in a relationship with his girlfriend for seven years, was unaware of their significant age difference until just before their wedding. Yoshitaka, aged 40, only discovered that his partner, Aki, was actually 25 years older than him as they prepared for their marriage.

The couple, who have gained popularity with 18,000 followers on their YouTube channel, met at a bar where Aki worked. According to reports from the Japanese media outlet Bunshun Online, Yoshitaka, who was divorced at the time, was immediately drawn to Aki’s mature and captivating personality. Their shared experiences of past failed marriages and the challenges of raising children alone brought them closer, eventually leading them to fall in love.

However, Aki had always been anxious about revealing her true age. Initially, she told Yoshitaka she was 44, fearing the truth might drive him away. Thanks to her lively nature and effective skincare routine, she managed to maintain a youthful appearance, which led Yoshitaka to believe that there was only a 15-year age difference between them.

Over the years, Aki subtly tried to hint at her real age by leaving documents like her passport and insurance card in plain sight, hoping Yoshitaka would notice. However, unaware of her intentions, Yoshitaka simply reminded her to keep her documents safe.

It wasn’t until they decided to get married that Aki finally confessed her true age. Although initially surprised, Yoshitaka reassured her, saying that her age didn’t matter and that he wished she had told him sooner to alleviate her worries.

After their marriage, the couple left their jobs to travel around Japan. They now run an online business offering air conditioner cleaning services and continue to share their daily lives with their YouTube audience.

Aki believes that there is still a societal bias in Japan against relationships where the woman is significantly older. She noted that while older men often boast about their younger wives, older women in relationships with younger men are more hesitant to go public. Despite this, Aki emphasizes that true love transcends such barriers, encouraging acceptance of all forms of couples.

Their unique love story has resonated with many on social media. One commenter remarked, “Love can bridge any age gap. I wish them all the best.”

Another added, “Aki is older than my mom, but she looks even younger than me.”