Photo/Illutration The Cabinet Office building in Tokyo (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

The government hastily shelved a program to provide a cash incentive to single women to relocate to rural areas upon marriage following a storm of criticism.

Hanako Jimi, state minister for regional revitalization, announced Aug. 30 that the plan to offer up to 600,000 yen ($4,100) to newlywed women who move from Tokyo’s 23 wards to the countryside will effectively be scrapped.

“Is the government trying to use money to move women?” was one of the sentiments expressed.

The program was included in the Cabinet Office’s budget request for fiscal 2025.

One of its aims was to help local governments revitalize regional areas through matchmaking events. A perpetual problem is finding ways to entice women from Tokyo to attend the functions.

The program was envisioned to cover the transportation costs incurred by single women traveling from Tokyo to attend matchmaking events held in the countryside. An additional subsidy was to be given if the women decided to marry.

It was limited to women and did not require them to work or start their own businesses if they moved.

The program garnered criticism as soon as it was announced.

A disparity in wages between men and women and stereotypical gender perceptions were key factors behind the outflow of women from rural areas.

But the program did not address such issues, critics said.

“The fundamental problem of women being forced into the old wife role in a patriarchal culture is not being addressed,” one person complained.

Jimi said at the news conference, “I have instructed (officials) to consider the issue again in order to respond after listening carefully to the voices of those who are actually suffering.”

The Cabinet Office’s budget request for the next fiscal year includes other policies to encourage marriage among the younger generation.

As the percentage of couples who get married through matching apps has been increasing in recent years, the Children and Families Agency will begin promoting and educating the public about the use of matching apps by private operators and providing training for their safe use.

The agency will also work to increase awareness of marriage support centers operated by local governments.

(This article was written by Sawa Okabayashi and Satoko Onuki.)

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