In an effort to combat the growing trend of people being single in Japan, the Tokyo City Hall has launched a new program called “Tokyo Futari Story.” This initiative aims to create more couples, or “futari,” in a country where being alone, or “hitori,” is becoming increasingly common.
The city hall has already set up a website that provides advice and general information for potential lovebirds. They are also developing a dating app, which they hope to launch later this year. The app will be accessible through both phone and web.
Although the exact details of the app are yet to be finalized, Japanese media reports suggest that it may require users to confirm their identity with documents such as a driver’s license, tax records to prove income, and a signed form indicating their readiness for marriage.
The app may also ask for additional information like height, job, and education, but city officials have denied that any decisions have been made regarding these specifics.
This initiative comes at a time when marriage rates in Japan are declining, and the country’s birth rate has hit a record low. In 2023, there were 474,717 marriages, a decrease from 504,930 in 2022. Additionally, the number of births in 2023 was 727,277, down from 770,759 in the previous year.
The Japanese government has been trying to address the serious labor shortage by offering cash incentives for families with children, supporting child-care facilities, and relaxing immigration policies to encourage an influx of foreign workers.
However, many young adults in Japan, like their counterparts around the world, are less interested in traditional marriage and having children.
This trend may be attributed to Japan’s demanding workplace norms, which often lead to long hours and limited opportunities to meet people outside of work. The high cost of raising children is also a concern for many.
In addition to the dating app, the Tokyo City Hall is sponsoring events where singles can meet, couples can receive marriage counseling, and lovers can have their stories of how they first met turned into manga comics or songs.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.