How Japanese gov't is tackling low marriage rate through a dating app

The 'Tokyo Futari Story' app is a strategic part of a broader national effort to address these demographic challenges by fostering romantic relationships that could lead to marriage, reflecting the initiative's primary goal encapsulated in its name—'Futari', which translates to 'two people'.

The app currently under development and scheduled for release in late 2024 will include a website offering love advice and general information for singles and would reportedly require documentation proving they are legally single and a signed letter stating their readiness to get married.

While the app represents a modern approach to an age-old tradition, it also signifies a cultural shift. Many young adults in Japan, like their counterparts around the world, are less interested in traditional marriage or having children.

The government hopes providing a platform that facilitates meeting potential partners can encourage more people to consider marriage and family life.

Fertility challenges

Japan's marriage rate has plummeted to an all-time low, with the country's Health Ministry reporting a decrease from 504,930 marriages in 2022 to 474,717 in 2023. The number of births followed suit, falling from 770,759 to 727,277 over the same period.

As the nation with the world's oldest population, second only to Monaco, this trend poses significant challenges to Japan's social, economic, and political landscape.

The Associated Press has highlighted that the prevalent long working hours, a societal norm of minimal social interaction post-work, and the substantial financial demands of raising a child are major factors discouraging marriage and family expansion in Japan.

Projections indicate that Japan's population, which reached its zenith at 128 million in 2017, is expected to decline to under 53 million by the century's close.

Solutions over the years

In 2021, the Japanese government invested $19 million in local authorities who were running or starting projects that use AI to pair people up to boost the birth rate.

"We are especially planning to offer subsidies to local governments operating or starting up matchmaking projects that use AI," a cabinet official told AFP. "We hope this support will help reverse the decline in the nation's birthrate."