In an unprecedented move, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government is set to launch its own dating app aimed at promoting marriage and addressing Japan’s declining birth rate. The new paid application, managed by a private entrepreneur, is scheduled for release this summer, as reported by Independent.
Users of the app will be required to submit documentation verifying their single status and sign a letter expressing their willingness to get married. Additionally, individuals will need to provide a tax certificate to confirm their annual income. As part of the registration process, users will undergo an interview to verify their identity. The app, which has undergone a free trial since late last year, will require users to specify the values they seek in a partner, with AI technology facilitating matches based on compatibility.
I’m glad the government of Japan recognizes the importance of this matter.
If radical action isn’t taken, Japan (and many other countries) will disappear! https://t.co/5zTwRCQC3o
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 5, 2024
A Tokyo government official overseeing the app stated, “We learned that 70 per cent of people who want to get married aren’t actively joining events or apps to look for a partner. We want to give them a gentle push to find one.” Another official expressed hope that the app, backed by the government, would provide a sense of security and encourage those hesitant to use traditional dating apps.
Notably, the initiative has garnered praise from tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, who lauded Japan’s recognition of the importance of addressing declining birth rates. Musk emphasized the need to counteract ageing populations by increasing birth rates. Last year, Japan recorded more deaths than new births, marking the eighth consecutive year of declining births.
Financial concerns are among the primary reasons cited by Japanese individuals for remaining single, highlighting the urgency for measures to support marriage and parenthood. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has deemed the declining birth rate a significant national crisis, calling for urgent action to address the issue.