Photo/Illutration A privately-run dating app “tapple” (Provided by Tapple Inc.)

Goodbye, Tinder, hello ... government-run dating apps?

According to an Asahi Shimbun survey, the majority of Japanese citizens wouldn't mind a state-backed service to help boost marriage and the declining birthrate.

The nationwide survey, conducted over the phone on June 15 and 16, found that 54 percent of respondents supported such initiatives, while 36 percent voiced their opposition.

The survey follows the Tokyo metropolitan government's recent announcement of its upcoming AI-powered matchmaking app.

Tokyo officials are emphasizing the benefits of a government-backed app, highlighting its credibility and the sense of security it can provide to users.

The survey results indicated no significant gender disparity in terms of support for government-run dating apps.

However, younger generations were more enthusiastic about the idea, with 64 percent of 18- to 29-year-olds and 74 percent of those in their 30s indicating their approval.

Notably, among women in their 30s, support for such services topped 80 percent.

Regionally, Tokyo stood out with a more divided opinion, with 47 percent supporting and 44 percent opposing the initiative.

In a separate section of the survey, respondents were asked about their expectations for overall government measures aimed at reversing the declining birthrate.

A majority of respondents—57 percent—expressed a lack of confidence in these measures, while 39 percent expressed hope for positive outcomes.

This sentiment remained consistent across gender and age groups.

Among those who supported Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s Cabinet, 52 percent expressed optimism, slightly exceeding the 45 percent who remained skeptical.

In contrast, among those who disapproved of the Cabinet, skepticism prevailed, with 63 percent expressing a lack of confidence compared to 34 percent who held out hope.

In 2023, the country’s fertility rate, or the average number of children a woman is expected to give birth to in her lifetime, hit a record low of 1.2.

Related News