Japan and Arranged Marriages

This is an aspect that's lost amongst most English speaking audiences. Especially today since we're neither in the country nor era in which this took place.

From what I know on the topic, (and I admit I'm no authority) arranged marrages were locked in place. Whether Ogata and Emiko were showing some sort of affection was irrelevant. She was going to marry Serizawa, no questions asked. Dr. Yamane most likely did notice some sort of spark between them. (Afterall, Serizawa could tell!) But it didn't matter. It wasn't going to happen without Yamane's consent. That's just how it was.

Now the country was in a state of social transition-- arranged marrages were going the way of the dinosaur and women were slowly (very slowly) breaking out of that tradition on their own. Clearly men were helping that transition; Ogata's love for Emiko and his desire to usurp Serizawa is an example of this.

Notice that Ogata always gives Emiko an arm's length embrace. That seems kind of hokey to today's audiences, perhaps even in Japan these days, but in 1954 simply touching a betrothed woman in an affectionate way was a big no-no. I'm not sure if a man touching her at all was prohibited, but it wouldn't shock me. I'll have to do more research.

I don't think it's likely that Dr. Yamane, an older man with more years in Japanese tradition, would've said anything unless he saw that embrace. And even if he did he still may not have said anything because, as I mentioned, she was betrothed-- It was a contract, it was going to happen and that's that. The end.

Of course... That didn't happen. Plus Yamane was fairly occupied by Godzilla. It's very clear that the situation around the monster has upset him greatly.

Wait, so Yamane could know it was going on and not say anything because it didn't matter the marriage was going through regardless? You'd think he'd address the issue if only due to the reputation Emiko and he would have if word got out of what she was doing, on the contrary though he seems to welcome Ogata into their home even.

Why would he have to? From his point of view could mean nothing if he was still trenched in Japanese tradition. She was going to be married to Serizawa regardless.

Not that I'm convinced he was aware. He seemed far too engrained in Godzilla throughout the movie.