Tokyo allows AI to act as a matchmaker, resulting in hundreds of couples already getting married.

      Tokyo's government-developed AI matchmaking app has resulted in 265 marriages to date.

      Government-operated dating apps may sound like concepts from a policy document, but Tokyo has created one that is already facilitating AI matches leading to actual marriages (as reported by Tech Xplore).

      How does this app function?

      In September 2024, the Tokyo government introduced Tokyo Enmusubi, an AI-driven matchmaking application aimed at addressing Japan’s declining birth rate. This initiative arose from a survey indicating that around 70% of individuals wishing to marry were not actively dating.

      To ensure effectiveness, those who joined had to verify that they were legally single and pass an online interview prior to being matched. As of June 30, 2026, the app had amassed 16,000 registered users, which is a reduction from about 36,000 applicants.

      Interestingly, government statistics released recently show that 760 couples, who connected through the app, are now in "serious relationships," with a total of 265 marriages recorded so far.

      One user, known as "Turtle," mentioned she joined the app "as a last resort" close to her 40th birthday, met her eventual husband in late August, entered a serious relationship by mid-September, and accepted his proposal by December.

      Why does Tokyo require such an app?

      Another user, referred to as “Skytree,” praised the app’s compatibility scoring for motivating him to meet new people: “Even if you’re uncertain about meeting someone, a high compatibility rating provides the encouragement you need.” The government’s motivation for launching the app lies in addressing Japan’s birth rate crisis.

      In 2025, births among Japanese citizens reached an all-time low of 671,236, marking the tenth consecutive year of decline. In contrast, deaths exceeded that number significantly, totaling 1.6 million. The fertility rate slightly decreased to 1.14, while marriage rates showed a small increase.

      In addition to the birth rate issue, the state-run nature of this dating app makes this development particularly unique. It highlights the extent to which Japan's demographic crisis is compelling policymakers to enter a space typically dominated by private technology firms.