Japanese population below 120 million for first time in decades as birth rate hits record low, but AI dating app sparks marriages

Japan's population has dipped below 120 million for the first time in over four decades, underscoring the nation's demographic crisis. As of January 1, the number of Japanese residents in the country was 119.74 million, marking a 0.76 percent decrease from the previous year. This decline, driven by a persistently low birth rate and an aging society, has continued for 17 consecutive years since its peak in 2009.

Despite the shrinking Japanese population, the number of foreign residents in Japan has reached a record high since data collection began in 2013. Including these residents, Japan's total population stands at 123.8 million. The country faces significant challenges, including labor shortages, a growing social security burden, and a shrinking tax base, exacerbated by a median age of 49.9 years, the second oldest globally after Monaco.

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I tried the app as a last chance.

The total fertility rate, a key indicator of future population trends, fell to a new record low of 1.14 children per woman, continuing a decade-long decline. The number of births also dropped to just over 670,000, the lowest figure recorded since 1899. In a small glimmer of hope, an AI-powered dating app launched by the Tokyo government has facilitated 265 marriages since its introduction in September 2024. The app, named TOKYO Enmusubi, requires users to prove they are legally single and pass an online interview, aiming to connect only those serious about marriage.

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After going on several blind dates, I met my current husband at the end of August, and we started a serious relationship in mid-September. I accepted his proposal at the end of December.