Japan faces a severe challenge with its declining birth rate, which has reached a record low for the eighth consecutive year. The health ministry on Wednesday (Jun 5) termed the situation as “critical.”
In response, the government has been advocating for young people to marry and start families. According to a report from AFP, the Tokyo government is introducing its dating app to address the issue, as confirmed by an official.
While it is uncommon for local governments to create such apps, it is not unprecedented. Previously, municipalities in Japan have hosted matchmaking events, particularly when birth rates hit a new low in 2023.
The official mentioned that users must provide documentation confirming their single status and sign a statement expressing their intention to marry.
Interestingly, it is typical for Japanese dating apps to include income details, but Tokyo’s app will require a tax certificate slip to prove the annual salary. “We want to give them a gentle push to find one,” a Tokyo government official overseeing the new app explained to AFP.
Additionally, the official stated that users must undergo an interview to verify their identity during the app’s registration process. The dating app has reportedly been in a free trial phase since late last year.
Declining birth rate in Japan
Japan is currently grappling with a significant drop in its birth rate. Last year, the nation recorded over twice as many deaths as births.
Preliminary government data showed that births fell for the eighth year in a row to 758,631, marking a 5.1 percent decline. Meanwhile, the number of deaths reached 1,590,503.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has vowed to implement policies such as financial support for families, better access to childcare, and extended parental leave. The country is also contending with increasing labor shortages.
