Marriage is one of the major events in life.
Couples who hold a wedding ceremony spend a long time preparing. They have to think about who to invite, what kind of food to serve, and how to proceed with the ceremony. There are many things to consider, and by the time the ceremony is over, they will likely feel a sense of relief.
Some couples may feel that they have exhausted all their energy, making the wedding seem like the ultimate goal of their marriage. However, isn't the true life of the couple only after the wedding ceremony?
Currently, it is sadly reported that one in three couples gets divorced.
The reasons vary, but one of them is differences in values. What is true happiness for the two of them?
The "Good Couple Research Group" will be established with the aim of not only seeing the wedding as a goal but also looking ahead to the couple's life beyond that, and addressing social issues related to marriage.
The establishment date is set for November 22, 2025, in commemoration of "Good Couple Day." Before the establishment, a commemorative event titled "Couple Power UP Course: Understanding Each Other's Feelings" will be held on November 3, 2025.
About the "Good Couple Research Group Establishment Commemorative Event"
Prior to the establishment of the Good Couple Research Group, a commemorative event titled "Couple Power UP Course: Understanding Each Other's Feelings" will be held on November 3, 2025. This event is open not only to couples but also to friends and individuals.
Through workshops that allow participants to experience "understanding each other's feelings," couples will enhance their relationship skills. There will also be psychological tests and value tests to deepen understanding of each other.
In the busy days of life, there are few opportunities to truly understand each other's feelings. If the establishment commemorative event can deepen the bond between couples, daily life is likely to become more enjoyable.
We spoke with Hiroko Kishimoto, the founder of the Good Couple Research Group, about her thoughts and the commemorative event.
The Philosophy of Couples Looking at Their Happiness After Marriage
Kishimoto is the CEO of Something For Co., Ltd.
Since the establishment of its predecessor, Tokura Co., Ltd., in 1982, she has contributed to the bridal industry for many years, primarily in Okayama Prefecture. She operates two wedding venues, The Kamon and EYOHAKU, in Kurashiki City.
Her work encompasses not only the hard aspects but also the soft aspects.
She also operates "Kurashiki Wedding," positioned as a "comprehensive counter for weddings" that promotes the wedding culture of Kurashiki, including costume rentals.
At the core of her wedding business is the "philosophy of couples." This was devised by Kishimoto and is a key initiative that led to the birth of the Good Couple Research Group.
What is the Philosophy of Couples?
Before introducing the philosophy of couples, let me explain what it entails.
At Something For Co., Ltd., couples preparing for marriage are encouraged to understand each other, deeply consider their happiness, and create a philosophy of couples that articulates their shared values.
Once married and living together, couples may experience misunderstandings, thinking, "Wait, this isn't how it was supposed to be," which can lead to divorce. This often stems from differences in values.
If they know each other's values before marriage and confirm the direction they want to pursue together, they can prevent misunderstandings to some extent.
Couples preparing for their wedding often have surprisingly few opportunities to truly get to know each other. The philosophy of couples is created through the following steps.
- Deeply know and envision
They write down their past experiences, future aspirations, and the kind of person they want to be together on a worksheet. - Discuss and articulate
Based on the worksheet, a storyteller facilitates the creation of words that will become their philosophy. - Express and vow
They collaboratively create a wedding ceremony that reflects their philosophy of couples. - Serve as a guideline and breathe life into it
The real start begins after the wedding ceremony. They begin their journey together, using their philosophy of couples as a guide in life.
For the venue, a happy wedding is a successful job once it is over.
However, rather than ending there, the initiative of the "philosophy of couples" aims to accompany the future that the two will face and work towards their happiness in life.
Many couples who have created their philosophy report that they are glad they did. They revisit their philosophy during arguments or when feelings diverge, reminding each other of their original intentions.
Facing Social Issues: The Good Couple Research Group
Kishimoto continues to produce true happiness for couples, starting with the philosophy of couples.
She has previously supported the creation of philosophies for couples at other wedding venues and has written books to spread awareness among the general public.
So far, the initiatives have focused on the happiness of couples.
Furthermore, Kishimoto will establish the "Good Couple Research Group," which will also address social issues. The establishment date is set for November 22, 2025, to coincide with "Good Couple Day."
We asked Kishimoto about her thoughts and aspirations.
Wanting to Solve Social Issues Related to Marriage
Why are you establishing the "Good Couple Research Group"?
Kishimoto (no honorifics)
While utilizing what we have done so far, I want to create a base for solving social issues and supporting couples.
For example, during the first 5 to 6 years after marriage, there are often many changes in the environment.
Couples may need to balance work and home life, discuss whether to have children, and deal with parenting issues.
This period can be really tough.
Some people may not know who to consult about their small worries. I thought it would be good to create a base for couples to find hints, learn, or share about such worries.
I want to create a place where people can think, "If I come here, I can learn various things and maybe find something I've never encountered before."
In our industry, there is a movement to increase marriages in response to the declining birthrate. For example, activities related to marriage support are quite active in society.
While it may be important to address the declining birthrate, currently, one in three couples gets divorced. Among them, the highest rate of divorce occurs within the first five years of marriage, particularly among couples in their 20s to late 30s.
This age group coincides with the time when many experience childbirth and parenting. Divorces at this timing can lead to a decline in birthrates. Additionally, child poverty is often attributed to single-parent households resulting from divorce. The social issues stemming from divorce include declining birthrates and child poverty.
Marriage support and parenting assistance are already being provided by the government.
However, it is essential for couples to live harmoniously and happily together. For society to grow sustainably, harmonious marriages are crucial, and it would be great to communicate this message.
There are many small issues between couples, such as managing finances, balancing work and home life, and sharing household chores. I hope to focus on these often-hidden couple problems and engage in some activities around them.
In the future, I hope to collaborate with the government. We would be happy if our activities could be meaningful as a form of social contribution.
What the Good Couple Research Group Aims For
Please tell us what the "Good Couple Research Group" aims to achieve.
Kishimoto
I want to cultivate an environment where people can find happiness through marriage.
Divorce is not inherently bad, and there are certainly many situations where things do not go well. We believe it is important to focus on ensuring that married couples can truly find happiness and create meaningful wedding ceremonies.
They must come to see that "having a wedding is an important ritual for their future happiness."
Rather than only considering our own interests in business, it is better for society to engage in activities aimed at solving social issues in the long term. I believe such initiatives will ultimately enhance the value of our industry.
Through the activities of the Good Couple Research Group, I would be delighted if people living in the Kurashiki area could think, "It was good that we have this company."
Commemorative Event
What kind of activities will the "Good Couple Research Group" engage in?
Kishimoto
The Good Couple Research Group plans to hold offline events about 4 to 5 times a year. First, as a pre-event, the establishment event "Couple Power UP Course: Understanding Each Other's Feelings" will take place on November 3, 2025.
Through psychological tests and workshops, participants will reflect on what they have and what they lack. Over a period of about 1 hour and 30 minutes, they can enjoy enhancing their couple skills while having tea or coffee.
Additionally, a financial planner will be invited to discuss financial matters. There are often surprising differences in how couples think about money. Together, they will identify what they want to achieve and create a plan for managing their household finances.
Moreover, since many people are currently undergoing infertility treatment, there will be discussions about infertility treatment. Because it is a sensitive issue, there is not much information available.
To ensure that participants feel comfortable receiving treatment, a well-regarded gynecologist will share insights on the latest infertility treatments.
We will also invite someone who specializes in storage and decluttering techniques.
Many people struggle with organization, so this is likely to be a popular topic. They will provide practical tips on how to declutter and keep the home tidy.
The Good Couple Research Group aims to create a support base for couples that has never existed before.
Conclusion
I knew that divorce rates were high, but I hadn't thought about it seriously.
I couldn't imagine that divorce could lead to social issues such as declining birthrates and child poverty.
As Kishimoto mentioned, divorce itself is not a bad thing. However, if marriage is happy and couples live harmoniously, it can help prevent some social issues arising from divorce.
Kishimoto's strong desire to improve society for the happiness of couples came through during the interview. I hope that through the establishment commemorative event on November 3, 2025, and the official launch on November 22, more people will find happiness.
Data on the Good Couple Research Group Establishment Commemorative Event
| Name | Good Couple Research Group Establishment Commemorative Event |
|---|---|
| Date | November 3, 2025 (Monday, holiday) 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM (Reception starts at 10:00 AM) |
| Location | 751-1 Hashima, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | 1,000 yen |
| Website | Good Couple Research Group Establishment Commemorative Event |
