Tokyo’s policy to solve falling birth rates? A dating app

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is planning to launch a dating app.

Undeterred by the long list of failed government-backed tech initiatives, Tokyo authorities are doing everything in their power to reverse the country’s tumbling birthrate, as data out on Wednesday revealed a record low of ~727k births in 2023: a staggering 5.6% decline, an issue compounded by a similar (6%) drop in marriages.

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In true bureaucracy-loving government fashion, the registration process for the app is expected to be lengthy. Users will need to submit documents proving they are single, provide tax certificates to verify their salary, offer up 15 other pieces of personal information, such as height and occupation, and attend an interview to verify their identity. They’ll even need to confirm that they aren’t looking for anything casual, signing a pledge promising that they are seeking a marriage partner, per The Asahi Shimbun.

Local governments are clearly getting serious about tackling what national officials are calling “a critical situation”. Economic instability in couples of child-rearing age has been cited as a major contributing factor, with the government earmarking trillions of yen to tackle the problem through financial support, childcare services and parental leave — even sponsoring in-person events for singles and offering counseling on marriage.

According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the new app will target the 70% of people who want to get married but aren’t actively looking for a partner.