That is until 1978, when a Fukuoka-based confectionary maker began promoting the concept of White Day for the men to reciprocate the well-intentions behind the gifts.

Says Yasuko: “Valentine’s Day was more popular than White Day as Japanese men were not accustomed to giving gifts like this to women, but now, the White Day has slowly become an annual custom among many men.”

Traditionally, men would give women white chocolate or marshmallows that is thrice the value of the gifts they have received a month earlier. But with commercialisation comes fancier gifts such as jewelry or white clothing like lingerie.

Yasuko shares shyly about how she and her hubby usually celebrate White Day: “We would dine out at a fancy restaurant and after which he will present me the cake or the candy.”

“Usually, it is an expensive restaurant serving sushi or yakiniku. It varies, and it is I who decide on the restaurant,” she adds.

Yasuko’s favourite gift from her hubby after all these years is a set of small accessories that were presented with the cake. “He is a shy man, like most men in Japan, and for him to prepare and give me a present other than the cake is rare.”

Ever since moving to Singapore in August 2006, there has been no change in the way Yasuko and her husband celebrate this romantic day. Her first White Day here last year, she was presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers and candy.

While White Day is still a few weeks away, Yasuko is already filled with anticipation for the big day, having presented Go with chocolates on Valentine’s Day.  She exclaims: “I am looking forward to White Day already!”

Indeed, it is just like the gentle people of Japan to come up with a day where you show your appreciation to people who have showered you with gifts and kindness. South Korea and Taiwan have also jumped on the bandwagon and hold this day in high regard.

So perhaps it’s high time that we too borrow the tradition and put a Singaporean twist to it.

Man or woman, let the White Day custom be a day of romance to tell your loved ones how much you love them yet again. Because we hardly get tired of hearing: “I love you, my dear, with all my heart and soul…To forever…”, do we?