Hitomi Shimatani awaits her Prince Charming.

Hitomi Shimatani to 'marry' one lucky owner of her new single

Wednesday 04th March, 12:16 PM JST

TOKYO —

Singer-actress Hitomi Shimatani, 28, says she will “marry” one lucky man in late April, chosen through a lottery. Her new CD single “SMILES” (1,050 yen) went on sale Wednesday, and enclosed inside is an application form. The winner will take part in a mock wedding ceremony in Aoyama, at which rings will be exchanged and photos taken of the couple in a tuxedo and wedding dress.

However, organizers said there will be no kissing of the “bride,” and the applicant can be single or already married.

Shimatani said she was inspired to hold the ceremony by her new movie “Parallel” (in cinemas from March 14), which tells the story of a wife devoted to supporting her husband after he is paralyzed in a car accident. “I want to convey the wonders of marriage through this mock ceremony,” she said.

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Latest 15 of 49 Total Comments Show All

bobbafett at 07:21 PM JST - 4th March

The lotto is a farce. If they indeed go through with the ridiculous charade, an appropriate actor/model will be hand picked.
techall at 08:04 PM JST - 4th March

Unfortunately, this is about how seriously most Japanese take real marriages.
likeitis at 08:11 PM JST - 4th March

techall: Unfortunately, this is about how seriously most Japanese take real marriages.

This thread a few other such holier than thou posts. Its interesting, because Japan's divorce rate is certainly lower than a lot of places. But, if we are looking at our western buddies and the divorce rates they have with the gaijin-bar flys they married, I suppose it might LOOK like the Japanese don't take marriage seriously.

I have been a long time, and I can say that whatever your motives are for making such a statement, it is obviously not a desire to be honest.
meanmutha at 09:18 PM JST - 4th March

baka moment of zen.
cadmium at 10:19 PM JST - 4th March

You all may laugh, but I think she'll have the last laugh. This is the kind of stuff her otaku fanbase will love.
usaexpat at 02:02 AM JST - 5th March

most real weddings lead to mock marriages so I don't see the problem here.
ca1ic0cat at 03:03 AM JST - 5th March

What's this, the latest version of enjo kosai? Hmmm, maybe I would pay for that...
SiouxGirl at 03:19 AM JST - 5th March

Are there any free gifts involved? I would do it for the gifts and the open bar. There's an open bar, right? Then let's call it a marriage - Lucy, I'm home!
NYC_Samurai at 04:03 AM JST - 5th March

the wonders of marriage through this mock ceremony

This is the line that takes the cake.
airrunwesker at 08:46 AM JST - 5th March

So.. "there will be no kissing of the bride"! So, this is like a real marriage! KIDDING :) I am going to purchase three of her singles! My wife said it was OK! REALLY!
jonnyboy at 09:27 AM JST - 5th March

i would argue that the divorce rate is so long due to the immensely greater social stigma of divorce, as when as the "gaman" attitude. also, divorce rates are no direct indicator of the happiness of marriages
jonnyboy at 09:27 AM JST - 5th March

so low, rather
PaizuriSan at 12:26 PM JST - 5th March

knowing the Japanese I bet they wont even touch! Can u look her in the eye? I can photoshop that whole nonssense anyways. Whats the point of buying in to this sham?Q
likeitis at 06:02 PM JST - 5th March

divorce rates are no direct indicator of the happiness of marriages

And changing the subject does not constitute a sound argument.

Yes, social stigma is higher, because the Japanese take marriage more seriously.
kokuryu at 08:48 AM JST - 10th March

I think this is pretty cool... I would not doubt that entry tickets for this will sell for millions of yen on eBay.