Japan offers up to $125 for single residents to join dating apps in attempt to boost birthrate

Kochi Prefecture is the latest to lean into this trend, offering single residents between the ages of 20 and 39 up to 20,000 yen (US$125) to offset the cost of approved matchmaking platforms like Tapple.

The local government stated in a press release on its website that this initiative is part of a broader effort to support young people who wish to get married.

The program covers app-related expenses incurred between April 2026 and March 2027. To qualify, applicants must meet specific local eligibility requirements and use designated apps that adhere to strict safety and reliability standards.

This financial incentive ties into a wider regional strategy.

In December, Kochi authorities partnered directly with Tapple to promote safer online dating environments. Similar programs are already active elsewhere.

Miyazaki Prefecture, for example, introduced a comparable scheme with a subsidy of 10,000 yen, according to Nippon.

These subsidies tap into a cultural reality. A 2024 survey of 20,000 adults by Japan’s Children and Families Agency revealed that roughly one in four married individuals under the age of 39 met their spouse online, a rate that now surpasses traditional introductions through workplaces or schools.

The urgency behind these initiatives is underscored by stark demographic data. In 2024, Japan’s population shrank by a record 908,574 people. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, deaths (approximately 1.6 million) nearly doubled the number of births (686,061).

Nationwide, Japanese authorities have adopted a variety of measures to reverse this trend, from expanding childcare services to offering housing subsidies.

Taking an even bolder step, the Tokyo metropolitan government last year introduced a trial four-day workweek for its employees.

As one of the country’s largest employers, Tokyo hopes this move will promote a better work-life balance, ultimately helping to combat both the low birthrate and the aging population.