In a bid to counter Japan’s declining birth rate, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government is set to launch a dating app designed to help citizens find spouses more easily.
This initiative is part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at encouraging marriage and family formation among Tokyo residents.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has highlighted the urgency of addressing the birth rate decline, calling it Japan’s “gravest crisis.”
Statistics reveal that Japan’s birth rate has been falling for eight consecutive years, with the population projected to decrease by 30% by 2070. In Tokyo, 32% of men and 24% of women aged 50 are unmarried, further exacerbating the demographic challenge.
To participate in the new dating app, users must register as single and provide detailed personal information, including height, education, occupation, and a tax certificate to verify their annual salary.
This level of transparency and government involvement aims to instill a sense of security and encourage those hesitant to seek a partner to take the step towards marriage.
The government has allocated 300 million yen ($2 million) in the 2024 budget to support this initiative, marking an increase from the previous year.
This funding highlights the seriousness with which Japanese authorities are tackling the birth rate issue.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hatashi emphasized the critical nature of the next six years, until 2030, in reversing the trend due to the rapid decline in the number of young people.
The dating app is designed to offer a “gentle push” for the 70% of people who express a desire to marry but are reluctant to actively seek a partner.
By providing a secure and supportive platform, the government hopes to make significant strides in addressing the demographic crisis.
