The idea of 'Masked Marriages,' where individuals maintain a facade to keep their relationship ongoing, is an intriguing social phenomenon garnering attention in Japan. Couples who maintain such unions often employ a mixture of compromise and toleration, from managing a joint household to bringing up children, even though they may have disparate personal interests or contrasting definitions of happiness. This invariably sparks questions around why these couples persist in maintaining their unions.

'Masked Marriages’ tap into the Japanese societal emphasis on harmony and conformity. Couples persist in these relationships to avoid social stigma and for the welfare of children, reflecting strong traditional and family values. It also mirrors the increasing tension between these values and the growing desire for personal fulfillment and individualism in Japanese society.

In contrast, Western societies like the US or EU tend to place greater emphasis on individual happiness. Separation or divorce in such situations is more common and less stigmatized. However, the concept of staying in a 'Masked Marriage' for larger societal or familial commitments is not entirely absent in Western cultures, indicating universal facets of human relationships.