Kochi prefecture says residents aged between 20 and 39 can receive a US$125 subsidy to use certified matchmaking apps
2-MIN READ2-MINSCMP’s Asia deskPublished: 9:00am, 22 Apr 2026A Japanese prefecture is paying its singles to use dating apps as the country grapples with record-low birth rates.Kochi prefecture announced on April 10 that it would subsidise private matchmaking app fees for its young residents, according to a Sankei News report.
Residents aged between 20 and 39 will get a subsidy of up to 20,000 yen (US$125) for the 2026 financial year to use apps that have received “internet-based marriage partner introduction service certification”.
One of these verified apps is believed to be Tapple, Japan’s most popular dating app. Last December, Kochi partnered with the app to promote safe and secure online dating.
“The going rate for annual membership fees is a little over 20,000 yen, so we set the amount to cover most of the cost,” a prefectural official told the newspaper.
The users will be surveyed when the year is up to track the effectiveness of the programme and help with future usage.
