Over 2,000 failed blind dates, repeated rejections: How a man finally found love and formed dating agency

Having endured countless setbacks, Yoshio now uses his experiences to guide others facing similar struggles.

For Yoshio, a 44-year-old man from Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, the search for love was a relentless journey marked by over 2,000 failed blind dates and repeated rejection. However, instead of giving up, he turned his experiences into an opportunity to help others struggling with modern dating.

Yoshio, who once faced rejection due to his income and living situation, now runs the Yoshio Marriage Laboratory, a dating agency that offers free consultations to those navigating the complexities of online matchmaking.

For over four years, Yoshio actively sought a life partner, joining multiple matchmaking agencies in the hope of finding love. However, his annual income of 3.5 million yen (approximately ₹19 lakh) and his modest lifestyle—living with his parents—proved to be significant obstacles in the eyes of many prospective partners.

Many women dismissed him outright due to his financial situation, while others ghosted him after just one date. On one occasion, Yoshio recalled taking a woman to a park to admire the cherry blossoms, but when she saw his compact car, she mocked it, stating, "I don’t even know what brand this is." The date ended awkwardly, and they never met again.

In another instance, a woman blocked him immediately after seeing a photo where his mother appeared in the background. Another cancelled their date upon learning he still lived with his parents, leading Yoshio to feel unfairly judged as a “mama’s boy.”

Despite these painful experiences, Yoshio refused to let rejection define him. Instead, he viewed each failed date as an opportunity for self-improvement.

"Each date, even the ones that didn’t work out, taught me something valuable," he said. "I learned to communicate better, to plan thoughtful dates, and to truly listen to what the other person wanted."

Rather than allowing rejection to discourage him, he refined his approach—improving his communication skills, building self-confidence, and learning how to create meaningful connections.

Yoshio’s persistence eventually paid off. After years of self-reflection and growth, he finally met a woman who valued his sincerity and commitment. Their relationship flourished, built on mutual respect and shared values.

After over a year of dating, Yoshio and his partner tied the knot and later welcomed a child into their lives.

Having endured countless setbacks, Yoshio now uses his experiences to guide others facing similar struggles. Through the Yoshio Marriage Laboratory, he provides free consultations to help individuals navigate online dating, offering advice on effective communication, self-improvement, and relationship-building strategies.