Overview
- Kochi Prefecture has launched a program that reimburses up to ¥20,000 for residents aged 20 to 39 who join approved dating apps.
- The subsidy is meant to cover most annual membership costs on vetted matchmaking services.
- Local officials plan follow-up surveys to measure sign-ups, matches, and other outcomes before deciding on next steps.
- Supporters call the move a practical nudge, while critics say low pay, long work hours, and high child costs still block marriage for many.
- Government data from 2024 found about one in four married people under 39 met a spouse online, which helped shape the app-focused approach.