With a sense of crisis stemming from Japan’s declining marriage rate, municipalities are actively intervening by allocating tax funds to boost matchmaking opportunities for residents with marriage aspirations. Through the introduction of an AI and Metaverse-assisted matchmaking platform, local municipalities are offering imaginative settings for marriage hunting activities, catering especially to those who feel uncomfortable expressing themselves under the scrutiny of their physical appearance even in a virtual environment. The initiative is designed with the hope of nurturing a genuine relationship, grounded in the emotional intimacy that develops through interactive experiences in the Metaverse.

Among the municipalities enthusiastic about pursuing more effective matchmaking solutions, the Tokyo government is poised to take a strong stride towards creating a more reliable and appealing matchmaking environment. Their plan includes the development of a new digital matchmaking app, targeting residents, workers, and students in Tokyo over the age of 18, set to be launched within fiscal 2024. This official foray into the marriage market is not only focused on providing a safe and cost-efficient avenue for marriage seekers, but also aiming to diversify the channel of finding the joy of companionship in a less pressurized atmosphere. The credibility of the platform is enhanced by introducing the Tokyo government-authorized certificate of singleness to protect platform users from encounters with deceitful individuals, particularly married womanizers looking for a soft touch. The management of a new app is scheduled to be entrusted to the private sector. Tokyo’s initiative plans to incorporate Metaverse-based technologies, which are geared toward revitalizing those who are likely to be sidelined by superficial judgements based on appearance and other visual criteria.

In the pursuit of enhancing the matchmaking success rate, a challenge beyond the scope of conventional apps as a reliable tool for the younger generation, various municipalities are addressing the pitfalls of snap judgements based on personal photos, aiming to foster deep and genuine connections. In Kyoto City, Hokuto City in Yamanashi Prefecture, and Izumo City in Tottori Prefecture, Metaverse-leveraged get-to-know-each-other sessions are being rolled out to counter the national decline in marriage numbers, which have halved from their 1972 peak to 504,930 in 2022.

The rising popularity of Metaverse-based social sessions in the sphere of marriage hunting is attributed to their unique advantages, which strikingly surpass their limitations. While engaging through avatars lacks the rich subtleties inherent in real-world interactions, such as body language and facial expressions, this apparent limitation is precisely where the Metaverse’s strength lies. In the Metaverse, the absence of physical appearance and visual biases allows participants to shed preconceived notions about their ideal partner, directing their attention to a more profound understanding of a person's true character. Communication is primarily auditory, compelling participants to listen more intently and peel away the layers of their biases and concentrating on the essence of audible interactions. This shift towards a more auditory-focused approach is offering young marriage seekers a clear mind more receptive to intuitive insights, helping them observe potential partners as they are, unfettered by the often misleading cues of physical appearance or background information. Virtual dating in the Metaverse is thus becoming a powerful instinct-awakening tool, enabling a more profund connection with their intuitive selves, one that is based on personality and genuine interaction rather than superficial criteria.

Among Metaverse platforms is one named Memoria captivating many couples. Developed by the innovative minds at Flamers, a startup in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo, Memoria is designed to navigate the delicate balance between virtual charm and the tangible nuances of romance, aiming to keep expectations among its users both down-to-earth and realistic. At the heart of Memoria is a sophisticated AI algorithm, which not only constructs detailed user profiles encompassing personal information, but also pinpoints specific criteria they seek in a partner. An AI matchmaking coordinator, more than just a digital cupid, analyzes those profiles. With empathetic precision, it pairs individuals whose desires and personalities resonate, paving the way for a seamless transition from digital to real-life interactions. When those virtual couples eventually cross paths in the real world, they are subtly encouraged to overlook certain imperfections, adopting a kind of willing blindness. This approach fosters appreciation for the connection they've nurtured through virtual dating, thoughtfully arranged by Memoria. This echoes the poignant truth that, much like AI, no relationship is flawless, underscoring the value of embracing the unpredictability in the marital gamble.