Concerns on declining population of Japan; government promoting dating apps for a possible fix

In an effort to address declining birth rates, the Japanese Government plans to launch a new dating app, ‘Tokyo Futari Story,’ this summer.

The app aims to combat the country’s demographic crisis, as Japan’s birth rate hit an all-time low in 2023. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s Government is actively pursuing various policies to promote higher birth rates, including financial aid to families, easier access to childcare, and extended parental leave. The introduction of the dating app represents a unique government initiative to encourage marriage and family formation. Users of the app will be required to sign a letter stating their willingness to marry and submit documentation proving their single status, along with a tax certificate slip to verify their annual salary.

The app has been in a free test run since late 2023, aiming to ease people into the idea of finding partners through government support. Some netizens expressed skepticism about the Government’s involvement in personal matchmaking, questioning the use of taxpayer money. Others saw potential benefits, particularly regarding the app’s safety features designed to prevent fraud. Tesla CEO Elon Musk also weighed in, stating, “I’m glad the Government of Japan recognizes the importance of this matter. Japan faces significant demographic challenges, with a death rate that has outpaced the birth rate for several years. In 2023, the country registered 7,58,631 births, a 5.1% decrease, while deaths stood at 1,590,503, more than double the number of births. This imbalance underscores the urgent need for measures to boost the birth rate and support the country’s aging population.