TOKYO. Tokyo City Hall is developing a dating app called “Tokyo Futari Story,” designed to encourage couples, or “futari,” in a society where being “hitori,” or alone, is becoming increasingly common, in a bid to address Japan’s declining marriage and birth rates.
Currently, a website offering advice and general information for potential couples is available online. The dating app is expected to launch later this year and will be accessible via phone or web, a city official confirmed on Thursday.
While specific details are still under discussion, City Hall did not confirm reports from Japanese media that the app would require users to verify their identity with documents such as a driver’s license, tax records to prove income, and a signed declaration of readiness for marriage.
The urgency behind this initiative is underscored by recent data from the health ministry, revealing a sharp decline in marriage and birth rates. In 2023, there were 474,717 marriages, down from 504,930 in 2022, and births fell to 727,277 from 770,759.
Media reports also speculated that the app might ask for users’ height, job, and education details, though officials have not confirmed these features.
On a broader scale, the Japanese government has been addressing labor shortages by offering financial incentives for families with children, enhancing child-care facilities, and relaxing immigration policies to attract foreign workers.
During the 1970s “baby boom” era, Japan recorded over 2 million births annually. However, similar to trends among young adults worldwide, fewer Japanese are now interested in traditional marriage or having children. Contributing factors include demanding workplace norms that limit social interactions outside of work and the high costs associated with raising children.
In addition to the dating app, Tokyo City Hall sponsors events where singles can meet, provides counseling for couples on marriage, and even offers to turn couples’ love stories into manga comics or songs.
Tokyo City Hall’s innovative approach aims to tackle the demographic challenges head-on, promoting family life and helping individuals find partners in a rapidly changing society.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
