Tokyo's AI Dating App Facilitates 265 Marriages Amidst Declining Birthrate

Tokyo. In an effort to boost Japan's declining birthrate, an artificial intelligence (AI) based dating app operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has shown remarkable results. As of 2024, 265 couples who met through the app have gotten married.

The app, named 'Tokyo Enmusubi', was launched in September 2024. This service was started with the objective of helping individuals find life partners easily, following a government survey which indicated that about 70 percent of individuals interested in marriage were not actively participating in matchmaking processes.

To participate in the app, individuals must meet criteria such as submitting proof of being legally unmarried and passing an online interview. The government states that this creates an environment where only individuals with serious intentions towards marriage can participate.

As of June 30 this year, out of approximately 36,000 applications, 16,000 members have registered. According to government statistics, 760 couples are currently in serious romantic relationships, and 265 couples have already married.

In an experience shared by the government, a woman known as 'Turtle' stated that she used the app considering it her 'last chance' as her 40th birthday approached. According to her, after many blind dates, she met her current husband in late August, started a serious relationship in mid-September, and accepted his marriage proposal at the end of December.

Another user who successfully found a life partner through the app, 'Skytree', said that the AI showing the compatibility with potential partners step-by-step made it easier to decide to meet. According to him, the AI compatibility assessment with his girlfriend was extremely high.

Meanwhile, according to Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the number of infants born to Japanese citizens in 2025 is projected to decrease to 671,236. This marks the tenth consecutive year of annual decline. During the same period, the number of deaths exceeded 1.6 million, and the fertility rate dropped from 1.15 to 1.14. However, the ministry indicated that the number of marriages has slightly increased.