Japan has been grappling with a serious population decline problem for many decades, and recent data suggest that the trend could be getting worse.
According to government-provided data (via Reuters), the birth rate in Japan has alarmingly reached its lowest in eight years. Recorded births in 2023 reached 758,621, a more than five percent fall from the previous year.
Furthermore, the number of marriages that happened in Japan in 2023 also saw a 5.9 percent slide, totaling 489,281. The last time that Japan saw a number of marriages below the 500,000 mark was before World War II.
A couple is seen at an area of Japanese restaurants, in Beijing on August 27, 2023. (Photo by Pedro PARDO / AFP)
Japan Taps AI to Help Solve Population Woes
Aside from billions in funds specially allocated to boost the birth and marriage rates in the country, Japan has started to leverage the help of advanced technology. Local governments have already initiated artificial intelligence (AI)-powered matchmaking to help their unmarried citizens find their mate.
As reported by the Japan Times, 31 of the country's 47 prefectures are already rolling out these public AI matchmaking programs, with Tokyo being the latest one to follow suit. The Japanese government has been subsidizing these types of programs for three years.
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How Japan's AI Matchmaking Works
According to reports, prefectures running the AI-powered matchmaking program use big data to help people find their matches. Essentially, people in need of the service visit marriage support centers to share relevant data such as personal information and even browsing history, which is then uploaded to the system.
Counselors running these programs say that matchmaking does not work by simply matching people of the same age and from the same institutions; the goal is to 'broaden their horizons.' Experts also note that the program is crucial since young adults in Japan frequently seek assistance with matchmaking, and big data is now playing this important role.
However, it is important to note that not all prefectures adhere to the same procedures outlined above. Others do not require extensive personal information to be entered into their system, while some only require 100-question surveys. The AI then compares their responses to find the best match according to the system.
Is the Project Working?
Despite recent statistics pointing to fewer Japanese people getting married, AI matchmaking programs are proving to be a success. In Ehime Prefecture, the initiative helped around 90 couples tie the knot last year.
In Sairtama Prefecture, more than 130 couples have been married thanks to AI matchmaking since last year. The prefecture has been rolling out the project as early as 2018.
According to local officials, many people who sign up for the service are serious about finding their ideal partners. Because it is government-run and offers some level of assurance that private and online matchmaking services do not, many people prefer this method of dating.
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