(photo BBC News)
How should a country tackle a shrinking population? Organise speed date parties is one option. It may not be romantic, but it is proving increasingly popular in Japan.
Opposite sex making connection in rapid succession and with bare minutes before a bell signals its time to move is one scheme encouraged by the Government.
‘The hope is that by encouraging people to date, marry and start a family, the current demographic trend leading towards a shrinking population can be arrested’, observes Duncan Bartlett from the BBC World Service. (BBC)
Why is speed dating popular in Japan? The problem seems common. Spending long hours at work is an obstacle to office workers finding love.
"It's becoming harder to meet suitable partners these days and that's one reason why people are getting married later," says speed date party organiser Natsuko Minami.
Even local governments in Japan are ‘prepared to provide financial support for the businesses that organise dating events as part of its efforts to tackle what it sees as a major social problem.’
Japan is facing an ageing and shrinking population. Its population of 128 million is projected to fall by 100 million by 2050 if problem is not arrested. The Government is taking counter-measures against the falling birth rate. Child support allowance has been expanded.
Another measure considered is the loosening of its restrictive immigration intake. ‘But any changes may come as a shock to a nation where registered foreigners make up just over 1 percent of its population.’
Reading links:
1) Duncan Bartlett, Japan pins hopes on 'speed dates'
2) BBC, Japan population starts to shrink
3) BBC, Japan women's singular contentment
4) National Institute of Population and Social Security Research, Population projections for Japan: 2001 - 2050
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