Falsely Claiming to Be Single on Dating App Ruled 'Violation of Chastity Rights'

The Osaka District Court has ordered a man to pay 550,000 yen (approximately $3,500 USD) in damages, ruling that he violated a woman's "chastity rights" by falsely claiming to be single while dating her after they met through a marriage-hunting app. The woman met the man on the app and began a serious relationship, only to later discover he was married with a family. She sued, claiming that her "chastity rights," which allow an individual to independently decide with whom they engage in sexual relations, had been violated. The court sternly pointed out that the man's act of falsely claiming to be single "deprived the woman of the opportunity to make an informed decision."

In court, the man argued that he "did not violate chastity rights and that it was within the scope of free love," but the court rejected this argument. Meanwhile, the woman publicized the series of troubles through a well-known social media streamer. In response, the man filed a counter-suit against the woman, claiming defamation. As a result, the Osaka District Court also ordered the woman to pay 340,000 yen (approximately $2,200 USD) in damages, demonstrating that publicizing information on social media can sometimes constitute defamation.

This ruling sparked a wave of criticism against the man on social media, with comments such as "Falsely claiming to be single is unforgivable" and "Punishments should be harsher." There were also many voices questioning the appropriateness of the compensation amount, the ruling that social media exposure constituted defamation, and pointing out the risks associated with using marriage-hunting apps. Amid the growing social problems caused by the proliferation of marriage-hunting apps, this verdict not only clarified legal responsibility for falsely claiming to be single but also raised important questions about how information is disclosed in the digital age. It has re-emphasized the necessity for users to understand the nature of matching apps and carefully verify the information of their potential partners.

The context

In Japan, "konkatsu" (婚活) is a portmanteau of "kekkon katsudō" (結婚活動), meaning "marriage activity" or "marriage hunting." Konkatsu apps are dating applications specifically designed for individuals seriously seeking a marriage partner, rather than casual dating or hookups. The expectation of sincerity and commitment on these platforms is considerably higher than on general dating apps. The legal concept of "chastity rights" (貞操権, teisoken) in Japan refers to an individual's right to freely choose their sexual partners and to maintain their sexual integrity. It is often invoked in cases where a person is deceived into a sexual relationship, particularly when the deception involves a fundamental premise like marital status, as it impacts the individual's ability to make an informed decision about their intimate relationships. This right is not about traditional notions of chastity but rather about autonomous decision-making regarding one's sexual and marital life.