Japan Dating News

[Bok Wykes]

Announcedby a government official, the unusual move is part of a broader initiative to encourage marriage and family formation among the city's residents, a response to the country's shrinking population.

The new app, unique in its rigorous verification process, is expected to require users to submit documentation proving they are legally single. Users must also sign a letter affirming their willingness to get married.

Government involvement in dating isn't unusual in Japan, where municipalities often organize matchmaking events, and while it is common for Japanese dating apps to ask for income details, Tokyo's app is set to go a step further by requiring a tax certificate slip to verify users' annual salaries.

A spokesperson for the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) told Newsweek: "The factors contributing to the declining birthrate are complex and cannot be solved by any one measure. As part of the marriage support program, the TMG is working to encourage those who wish to get married but cannot take the first step, by generating momentum of support for marriage throughout society."

According to data released by Japan's Health Ministry on June 5, 727,277 babies were born in Japan in 2023, down 5.6 percent from the previous year and the lowest since the country started recording the statistics in 1899, the Associated Press reported.

It isn't just births that are falling either. The Health Ministry's recently released data also showed that the number of marriages fell by 6 percent last year, to 474,717, the AP reported. Japan's low birth rate has been closely linked to the lower marriage rate, as births taking place outside of marriage are rare in the traditional society.

Alice Gibbs is a Newsweek Senior Internet Trends & Culture Reporter based in the U.K. For the last two years she has specialized in viral trends and internet news, with a particular focus on animals, human interest stories, health, and lifestyle.

Weather forecaster Saya Hiyama introduced herself with charisma. She gained widespread recognition throughout Japan when a video showcased her seamlessly transitioning from her playful persona to delivering a serious breaking news report on a severe natural disaster.

Her adorable moments quickly became internet sensations, thanks to her nerdy hobbies, love for anime, slightly shy demeanor, and charming antics. She became an endearing role model and a dream girl for the average Japanese guy navigating the complexities of romance.

However, the downside of fame became evident as some of her millions of fans took their admiration to extremes. This occurred when a highly anticipated Weather News Live fan meetup was approaching, the first in five years, featuring all the casters, including Saya.

About a week before the fan meetup, something unusual occurred. Saya mysteriously disappeared from Weather News Live. Fans were bewildered when they saw photos of her in Great Britain watching Wimbledon from seats typically reserved for friends and family.

Throughout the 70s, idol culture took off with various TV shows and magazines advertising singing competitions. The 80s were known as the Golden Age of idols, with various idols making their debut. Baradoru (バラドル, variety show idols) increased in popularity rapidly with a variety of singing competitions.

Upon debut, their responsibilities extend beyond performing. They also need to market their new content, often through appearances on reality TV shows and handshake events. These events involve brief greetings, no photos or performances. Devoted fans, often known as otakus, go to great lengths to increase their chances of meeting their favorite idols.

Despite the continuous rise of idol culture, certain recurring issues persist. The most significant concern is the prevalence of assault and harassment, particularly but not exclusively targeting female idols. News reports about idols being stalked by obsessed fans seem distressingly frequent.

In a way, it instead encourages the development of parasocial relationships with extreme fans. When an idol enters a romantic relationship, it diminishes her appeal and marketability. Her talent represents only a fraction of the overall fantasy woven around idols.

This is one of several instances of no-dating scandals involving female idols, with male idols facing similar situations. For instance, when heartthrob Kuyama Masaharu announced his marriage in 2015, his talent agency, Amuse, saw its stock price drop by nine percent.

A parasocial relationship is a one-sided relationship where one side extends emotional energy, interest, and time while the other party remains unaware of their existence. It is common for these relationships to be aimed towards famous celebrities such as idols, given the widespread public persona and incentive to interact and engage with fans.

Parasocial relationships are typically commonplace and entirely normal. In fact, the emotions we experience within these relationships can be just as powerful as those in other types of connections. Media is a convenient means of fulfilling our social needs, offering a low-barrier entry point.

Moreover, these interactions can create safe spaces for individuals with social anxiety, boosting their confidence and making real-world interactions feel safer. Additionally, they can aid in identity development by providing role models. In essence, parasocial relationships offer a way to practice social interactions, particularly through engagement on social media, facilitating social learning that can be applied in real-life situations.

However, a parasocial relationship can become unhealthy if it starts to resemble stalking behavior. And this is true when looking at extreme fans who start causing direct or indirect harm to their beloved idols.

The allure of idols is similar to when fans get attached to a character from fictional media like anime, movies, books, etc. An idol, too, is essentially a fictional character, often depicted as pure and available. However, most fictional characters in anime and movies are exactly that, fictional. It is easier to detach from reality since they are the creation of artists. Idols, on the other hand, are real people recruited during their teenage years and bound by contracts.

I was born in the United States and currently reside in Kyoto, Japan. My specialization is in Japanese Second Language (JSL) and multilingualism, but in general I write about a broad range of Japanese related topics.

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