Recording summary · January 2022
Dating in Japan - The worst date I ever had
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Overview
Daniel recounted being catfished roughly five years earlier by a Japanese woman named Tomoko whom he met on HelloTalk after she claimed to be 27 years old.
After communicating across platforms and including Tomoko on YouTube livestreams, Daniel ghosted his previous partner, quit his petrol station job upon reaching 5,000 subscribers, and traveled to Japan while also setting up Tinder backup dates.
Upon meeting Tomoko at Kobe Station, Daniel observed that she looked significantly older than 27, though they spent time together and checked into a nearby hotel for several hours before parting ways.
Following a YouTube video in which Daniel voiced disappointment regarding Tomoko's appearance, Tomoko admitted she had lied about her age and was in her early forties, prompting audience backlash against Daniel for his conduct.
Daniel never met Tomoko again, resumed using Tinder for dating, and eventually met and married a different Japanese woman.
Themes
Initial communication with Tomoko on HelloTalk and escalation to other messaging platforms and YouTube livestreams.
Quitting employment, traveling to Japan, and engaging in Tinder dating.
Meeting Tomoko at Kobe Station, hotel visit, and reaction to her physical appearance.
Video upload expressing disappointment, Tomoko's age confession, and audience criticism.
Aftermath, resumption of Tinder dating, and subsequent marriage to another Japanese woman.
Developments
Daniel downloaded HelloTalk, posted diary entries in Japanese, and connected with Tomoko, who claimed to be 27 years old.
Conversations shifted to another messaging app following warnings on HelloTalk, and Tomoko was brought onto Daniel's YouTube livestreams.
Daniel reached 5,000 YouTube subscribers, quit his petrol station job, ghosted his previous partner, and went to Japan the subsequent week.
Daniel conducted Tinder dates upon arriving in Japan.
Daniel met Tomoko at Kobe Station, noticed her older appearance, and visited a local hotel with her for several hours.
Daniel uploaded a video sharing disappointment over Tomoko's looks, prompting her to confess she was in her early forties and sparking audience criticism.
Daniel returned to Tinder dating and eventually married another Japanese woman.
Uncertainties & gaps
Tomoko's precise actual age was not definitively recalled, remaining uncertain among 40, 41, or 42.