Japan’s fertility rate is reportedly declining. It has reached a new low of 1.20, decreasing from 1.26 last year. The Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare stated that a 2.1 fertility rate is needed for a country to maintain its population.
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According to CNN, the lowering of birth significantly affects Japan’s workforce, economy, welfare systems, and social structure. The Japanese government is taking innovative measures to encourage marriage and family growth among its citizens. This includes providing housing subsidies for families, incentivizing couples financially to have children, and expanding daycare facilities. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has also initiated a different approach by launching a government-run dating app.
The dating app reportedly encourages Tokyo residents to go “marriage hunting” by using an AI-operated match-making system that suggests potential partners based on a “values diagnostic test.” The test assesses user preferences and values, aiming to develop more meaningful connections beyond superficial criteria. The app is intended for individuals over 18, single, residing or working in Tokyo, and genuinely interested in marriage.
“What cannot be measured by appearance or conditions alone may lead to unexpected encounters.”
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Although experts have dismissed beliefs that Japan’s population will decrease rapidly in the coming years, the demographic shift is expected to alter the nation’s social and economic landscape significantly.
The dating app is part of a bigger strategy to facilitate better life-work balance, engagement of men in domestic roles, and support for career-oriented parents.
