The Japanese government is investing taxpayer money into a dating app named Tapple, designed to connect individuals based on shared hobbies and interests. 

(Photo : RICHARD A. BROOKS/AFP via Getty Images)

TOPSHOT - This photo taken on October 10, 2022 shows people walking down Takeshita Street in the Harajuku area of Tokyo. 

Dating App as a Solution

The motivation behind this unconventional initiative is Japan's unprecedented population decline, and the government appears to be encouraging people to form relationships and contribute to reversing this trend.

Tapple's website invites users with a light-hearted suggestion: "Why don't you find a nice lover too?" In response to Tokyo  having the highest percentage of never-married individuals at age 50 nationwide, Interesting Engineering reported that the government is taking on the role of a modern-day cupid.

Japan has garnered a reputation for an increasing number of people leading solitary lives. The trend is attributed to the fact that one in 10 residents in the country is aged 80 and above, contributing to Japan having the world's oldest population. 

With a significant portion of the population being elderly, the challenge of declining birth rates becomes apparent, prompting the government to explore creative solutions like Tapple to address the issue.

In a bid to engage the younger demographic, the government is rolling out matchmaking apps and organizing virtual dates. Dating apps have emerged as a popular avenue for individuals seeking romantic connections. 

To curb fraud and discourage married individuals from participating, the verification process of these dating apps mandates users to provide documentation from their hometowns, confirming their unmarried status.

The 2021 survey in Tokyo underscored the prominence of dating apps, with 14.5 percent of respondents endorsing their popularity. 

Addressing Concerns in Japan

To address concerns about abuse, the city plans to utilize social media for awareness campaigns, and operators of existing apps are optimistic about the positive impact of the verification strategy on the industry. Many users tend to register on multiple platforms.

The effectiveness of these measures in enticing individuals to engage in dating activities remains uncertain. It is noteworthy that Tokyo stands out with a higher proportion of never-married individuals at the age of 50 compared to other regions in Japan. 

The statistics reveal that 32.15 percent of men and 23.79 percent of women in Tokyo fall into this category.

In a striking revelation, a government estimate suggests that as many as 42 percent of Japanese women born in 2005 may opt not to experience motherhood throughout their lifetimes, potentially posing a threat to the nation's social security program.

Nikkei reported that the estimations have been put forth by Japan's National Institute of Population and Social Security Research.

Also Read: Australia Tells Dating Apps to Address Sexual Assault on Platforms or Face Regulation

Despite these projections, critics remain skeptical about the government's approach, as reported by the South China Morning Post. They contend that developing another taxpayer-funded dating app may not be the panacea for the challenges faced by singles.

City and national governments should instead tackle the underlying issues contributing to the decline in marriages and childbirth. Financial constraints emerge as a significant factor, with many Japanese citizens expressing a lack of resources for marriage and child-rearing.

A Tokyo government official pointed out that seven percent of those aspiring to marry encounter obstacles due to challenges in meeting potential partners and discomfort with private matchmaking services.

Related Article: Japanese Birth Rate Hits Record Low and There's No Easy Way Out