There comes a moment of truth in every episode of reality-dating series "The Bachelor" when the handsome and wealthy bachelor must eliminate at least one of the 25 women vying for his affection during a "rose ceremony."

In "The Bachelor Japan," the series' first rose ceremony, which happens in its first episode, was perhaps the most poignant. Twenty-five women had arrived at a gorgeous Chiba Prefecture mansion (complete with a pool) in glittering evening wear, to be greeted at the end of a long red carpet by the bachelor. Initially everyone smiled and chatted amicably in the living room. Toward the end, the bachelor presented 20 roses to 20 women, ceremoniously calling out their names as the camera hovered over each of the women's faces. No one looked down. They were all grimly determined, as if channeling Jennifer Lawrence's heroine from "The Hunger Games." Cue the ominous drums.

And the five that didn't make it? They had to leave. One told the bachelor with barely concealed anger that she questioned his judgment. Another shakily said she supported him on his quest to find the perfect woman. All of them had tears in their eyes.