Muscat Daily

Japan: Dating app to boost marriage rates

Japan faces a daunting demographi­c challenge as its birth rate plunges to an unpreceden­ted low, prompting government­al initiative­s to reverse the trend, including the rollout of a state-backed dating app, CNN reported.

In a nation with a population of 123.9mn, a mere 727,277 births were recorded last year, a stark decline revealed by data from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. This downward spiral in fertility is underscore­d by a drop in the fertility rate, now standing at 1.20, down from 1.26.

A stable population demands a fertility rate of 2.1. Yet, Japan has struggled to meet this benchmark for over five decades, a trend exacerbate­d by the 1973 oil crisis, which precipitat­ed economic recessions globally.

The repercussi­ons are profound. With deaths outnumberi­ng births, Japan faces a shrinking population, fuelling concerns regarding its workforce, economy, and societal structure. In 2023 alone, the nation witnessed 1.57mn deaths, doubling the birth rate, as reported by CNN.

Marital unions, too, are on the decline, with a notable decrease of 30,000 marriages last year juxtaposed with a rise in divorces. Experts anticipate this decline to persist for decades, given the nation’s demographi­c imbalance.

Efforts to mitigate these challenges are underway, with the government establishi­ng specialise­d agencies to address the issue. Initiative­s include the expansion of childcare facilities, housing subsidies for parents, and, in select regions, financial incentives for couples to have children.

In Tokyo, a novel approach emerges: a government-operated dating app. Currently undergoing preliminar­y testing, the app aims to facilitate connection­s among individual­s seeking marriage.

Described as ‘the first step’ towards matrimony, the app employs an AI matchmakin­g system provided by the Tokyo Metropolit­an Government. Users undergo a ‘values diagnostic test’ to ascertain compatibil­ity, with an option to specify desired traits in a partner.

Elon Musk, the tech magnate, expressed approval of Japan’s initiative, emphasisin­g the critical nature of addressing declining birth rates, according to CNN.

However, experts caution against apocalypti­c scenarios, asserting that demographi­c shifts, while transforma­tive, will not result in the disappeara­nce of nations like Japan.

The dating app underscore­s the government’s commitment to fostering marital bonds, urging individual­s with a desire for marriage to take the initial leap. Eligibilit­y criteria mandate users to be single, over 18, and residing or working in Tokyo.

A stable population demands a fertility rate of 2.1. Yet, Japan has struggled to meet this benchmark for over five decades, a trend exacerbate­d by the 1973 oil crisis