Japan’s birth rate falls to a record low as the number of marriages also drops
Associated PressMay 22
Tokyo Plans Dating App Rollout Amid Population Slide
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The Facts
In a rare initiative by a local government in Japan, Tokyo is launching a fee-based dating app this summer to boost marriage rates and combat low birth rates. Tokyo has allocated 200M yen ($1.2M) for this app and other matchmaking efforts.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government officials Tuesday said app users must prove their single status, willingness to marry, and annual incomes via a tax certificate. Approval is also contingent on an interview to prove the user's identity.
The Spin
Narrative A
Japan's birth rate hit a record low for the eighth consecutive year in 2023 at 1.20 — far below the 2.1 needed for demographic stability. Economic stress and work-life balance challenges are contributing factors. With the world's oldest population, Japan is enhancing parental support through financial aid, childcare access, and expanded parental leave. The Tokyo city government's dating app plan is an urgent attempt to address a serious population crunch.
Narrative B
Japan's low birth rates, like in other nations such as China and South Korea, are a result of rising longevity and personal freedoms, besides economic factors. Japan's aging population and shrinking workforce present challenges, yet its emphasis on education, health, and women's empowerment reflects progress. Population decline may ultimately reduce ecological footprints and promote peace — requiring adaptable and thoughtful policies over ones driven by demographic panic.