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罢翱碍驰翱鈥�Sick of swiping and tired of Tinder? Old-fashioned love letters may be the answer, says one Japanese city whose unusual matchmaking scheme has been a surprising success.
Singles in southern Japan鈥檚 Miyazaki are being encouraged to put pen to paper in a low-tech search for their soulmate, part of municipal efforts to boost the low birth rate.
The charm of handwritten correspondence has attracted so many young residents that organizers have decided to expand the program to people living farther afield.
Compared to online dating, 鈥渋t takes longer, and inspires you to imagine the person you鈥檙e in communication with,鈥� said Rie Miyata, head of a local consulting firm commissioned to run the scheme.
鈥淚t鈥檚 less about how good your penmanship is,鈥� she told AFP, 鈥渁nd more the fact that you write every single character sincerely and with care, thinking deeply about the person you鈥檙e writing to.鈥�
鈥淭hat鈥檚 what makes letters so powerful,鈥� she said.
Since 2020, when the project began, 450 people have signed up 鈥� more than double authorities鈥� initial estimates 鈥� with around 70 percent in their 20s and 30s.
Applicants are screened by Miyata鈥檚 team and paired with potential suitors based on information they submit about themselves, like their favorite films, books and sports.
But unlike dating apps, the only thing revealed about each new pen pal is their age, with identifying details like their full name, job and address withheld 鈥� and of course, no profile pics on display.
鈥淟ooks are often a decisive factor鈥� when searching for a partner, 鈥渂ut in letters, you are judged by your personality,鈥� Miyata said.
Letters are posted to the organizers, who give them a quick read to ensure the note contains no obscenities or insults before sending it on to the eager recipient.
So far, 32 pairs have set up face-to-face meetings, with romance blooming for 17 couples who have started a relationship.
One participant, a 25-year-old Miyazaki resident, said the idea had brought back fond memories.
鈥淎s a kid, I used to write letters to the girl I had a crush on,鈥� the man, who wished to remain anonymous, told AFP.
鈥淚 like how old-fashioned letters are. That made me want to join the program.鈥�
Despite the city鈥檚 original approach, it鈥檚 not unusual for local governments to fund matchmaking programs in Japan, which has the world鈥檚 oldest population and one of the lowest fertility rates.
In 2021, the number of babies born hit a new record low of 811,604, and women are now expected to have an average of 1.3 children in their lifetime, far below the rate needed to maintain a population.
/abc
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