The Japanese government has scrapped a controversial plan to offer cash incentives to women in Tokyo who marry and relocate to rural areas. The plan, which included payments of up to 600,000 yen ($4,140) and train tickets to matchmaking events, was intended to address the significant gender imbalance in Japan’s countryside. However, the proposal was met with widespread criticism and ridicule, leading officials to abandon the scheme.
Widespread Criticism and Social Media Backlash
The plan quickly became a subject of mockery on social media, with many users questioning the government’s understanding of modern women’s priorities. Critics argued that the scheme reflected outdated and patriarchal views, with one user on X (formerly Twitter) sarcastically asking if the government thought independent and educated women would be swayed by a cash incentive to marry and move to the countryside.
Another user criticized the plan as a reflection of a society that still sees women primarily in terms of their reproductive value. The backlash highlighted the gap between government policies and the realities faced by women in Japan, especially in a society where men continue to dominate politics and other sectors.
Depopulation Crisis in Rural Japan
The plan was part of a broader effort to combat the depopulation crisis affecting many rural areas in Japan. As one of the world’s largest economies, Japan is facing significant challenges as its population ages and shrinks. Rural areas have been hit particularly hard, with some small towns struggling to maintain populations and facing the possibility of disappearing altogether.
One of the main reasons for this crisis is the migration of young women from rural areas to big cities like Tokyo in search of better educational and employment opportunities. A study by a private-sector expert panel in April suggested that more than 40% of Japanese municipalities are at risk of disappearing due to the expected decline in the number of women in their 20s and 30s.
Government Response and Future Plans
In response to the criticism, Hanako Jimi, Japan’s minister of state for regional revitalization, announced on Friday that she had instructed officials to review the plan. She also clarified that reports about the size of the payments were inaccurate, although the plan has now been scrapped altogether.
As Japan continues to grapple with the challenges of depopulation and gender imbalances, it remains to be seen what other measures the government will consider to revitalize rural areas. For now, the failed cash incentive scheme serves as a reminder of the importance of creating policies that align with the values and aspirations of modern Japanese women.
