Japan's Government Plays Matchmaker

BUSINESS WEEK - Aug 26 - Japan's Fukui prefecture has the nation's biggest share of dual-income households, the highest ratio of working women, and the lowest unemployment rate. What it doesn't have is enough babies. So this month the provincial government will launch an online dating site for singles, called the Fukui Marriage-Hunting Cafe. At 1.34 children per woman, Japan's fertility rate is one of the lowest in the world, well below the 2.1 that is considered the minimum for a developed nation to maintain a constant population. FULL ARTICLE @ BUSINESS WEEK

Mark Brooks: The Singapore government has also gotten involved in spurring and supporting matchmaking startups. Meanwhile, in Japan, idating is somewhat of a dirty word thanks to thousands of sites that match men with young girls, preferably school girls. A major fetish in Japan. Mixi is the main social network in Japan, and the place where many young singles connect, through their friends.

Comments

[Kenneth Black]

Hmmm... Interesting. Singapore had a recent dating campaign for its singles as well. I think that this is a common problem for developed countries so it wouldn't be too surprising that the government is trying to encourage more dating and procreation.

[joe]

I've heard immigration into Japan is extremely difficult, and the world's population is growing. I've heard about low procreation rates in other western countries but I really doubt it being a major issue, especially if immigration is restricted. After all, China has a large population, I'm sure many Chinese people would immigrate to Japan.