Every March 14, Japanese people celebrate White Day, a day in which men give women gifts.  In Japan, Valentines Day is celebrated on February 14.  However, unlike in the United States, on that day, women give men gifts, typically chocolates.  On March 14, men are supposed to offer a return gift.  If they are romantically interested in the woman, they will give a nicer gift.  If not, they will give a more standard gift.  Needless to say, this day can be filled with both enjoyment and tension for young women.

The display here is from the front of a toy store in the Ginza district of Tokyo, one of the fancy shopping areas.  The sign on the display asks, "What should you give for White Day:?"  Below, they explain "For this year's White Day, we have gathered together items that will increase the enjoyable time of busy women.  We really recommend these items to the person thinking of what to give!"

This image can be used in many ways in the class room.  For example, you can ask you students to guess at why these items might be of interest to young women, and what that indicates about gender roles in Japan.  You can have them compare the Valentine's Day/White Day tradition to the American Valentines only tradition, and compare the plusses and minuses from a teenage perspective.  For younger children, they can discuss whether or not they think their mother's would like the gifts and why, and why Japanese women might like the gifts that are pictured.