The tradition calls for women to give their male co-workers treats on Valentine's Day. Known in Japanese as giri choco, this practice took hold in the 1950s. However, more women are fed up with having to buy chocolates for their male office mates.
Men, in turn, are expected to do the same for their female co-workers on March 14, or White Day, which the chocolate industry created in the 1980s to increase sales.
Some firms have now prohibited the practice, viewing it as an abuse of power and as harassment. A recent survey found that more than 60% of Japanese women said they would treat themselves to chocolate this past Valentine's Day. Just over one-third said they would offer their male co-workers chocolate.