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The Mainichi
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Mainichi
What made matchmaking events in Japan's least populated prefecture a 'great success'?
TOKYO -- Many local governments in Japan are abandoning matchmaking events intended to combat declining birth rates and revitalize regions, citing lackluster results and a struggle to attract young participants. But Tottori Prefecture, the least populated prefecture in the country, is gaining attention for its unique approach that has turned such events into a "great success." Exploring the changing landscape of marriage-seeking in the Reiwa era starting from 2019, the Mainichi Shimbun examined the success of the Tottori model, which is based on an understanding of the psychology and behavior of young people in regional areas. What, exactly, is capturing their hearts? 'Human scavenger hunt' on Tottori Sand Dunes In May 2024, 50 men and 50 women gathered on the Tottori Sand Dunes, among the largest in Japan, for a matchmaking event co-hosted by the Tottori Prefectural Government and Omicale Inc., a matchmaking app operator based in Tokyo. The event featured a "human scavenger hunt" involving all 100 participants. Challenges included finding someone who has started a NISA (a tax-free small investment account), someone who turns off all lights before sleeping, and someone who has traveled to 10 or more countries. With themes shedding light on the participants' values and lifestyles, participants looked for the people matching the criteria to reach the goal. Once the ice was broken, the host encouraged participants to send "likes" via the smartphone app used in the event. Likes lead to face-to-face meetings By liking someone's profile, the participants could initiate a call. "You can't start without sending a sign," the host informed them, prompting participants to begin conversations. Areas for yoga and paragliding and a booth with sweets were set up. Participants were seen actively signaling their locations to meet face-to-face. "Over here! I'm by the yoga area on the dunes," called out one enthusiastic participant. Pref. gov't aims to boost marriages for higher birth rates With a population of just under 530,000, Tottori Prefecture is the least populated prefecture in Japan. In 2023, only 3,263 births were recorded, down 30% from a decade earlier. Nationally, the average number of children per married couple hovers around 2.0. The Tottori Prefectural Government has focused on marriage support, believing that increasing marriages will lead to more births. Gov. Shinji Hirai, in his fifth term since first being elected in 2007, established the "Entry" marriage support center in 2015, which facilitates meetings through matchmakers and by hosting events. In 2023, he declared Tottori a "new child-rearing kingdom," aiming for 500 couples annually. Kazuhiro Hasegawa, a 34-year-old section chief at the prefectural government's "child-rearing kingdom" division, noted that attracting enough women to events was a challenge. One reason is the small, close-knit nature of local communities. "There were concerns about the same people always showing up at events and participants being exposed through rumors like, 'I heard she went to a matchmaking event,'" Hasegawa explained. Aversion to the term 'marriage hunting' To combat declining birth rates and the population outflow accelerating in rural regions, the national government in fiscal 2023 increased the budget for its grants for the promotion of measures to counter declines in regional birth rates to 10 billion yen (some $69 million) -- roughly triple the budget for the previous fiscal year. Tottori Prefecture used this grant to enhance matchmaking support. The prefectural government formed the "Tottori Mirai Sozo Taskforce" (Tottori taskforce for future creation), recruiting employees in their 20s and 30s to reflect the opinions of young people. It also established the "Tottori Wakamono Katsuyaku-kyoku" (Tottori youth active participation bureau), enlisting residents from high school age to their 30s. One idea that emerged was the event at the sand dunes. Hasegawa was apparently surprised by the opinions of young people. "They said they disliked the term for 'konkatsu' (marriage hunting, or more literally, marriage activities). I realized that it might sound too aggressive, making participation difficult," he said. Incorporating youth opinions leads to flood of applications Based on this feedback, event name candidates were considered, and after a popular vote among staff in their 20s, "matching event" was chosen. The vast dunes were selected as the venue because it would be difficult to spot acquaintances. At the venue, too, initial contact was made via the event app before meeting in person. The app becomes unusable about a week after the event, requiring participants to exchange contact information personally if they wish to keep in touch. Recreational elements like yoga and paragliding were included to create natural encounters where like-minded participants could enjoy activities together, leading to relationships. The participation fee was set at 1,000 yen (about $7) for both men and women, thanks to subsidies from the prefectural and national governments, keeping costs low. As a result, the event, with a capacity of 100 participants (50 men and 50 women), received 160 applications. Cost and time efficiency sought Naomi Araki, 56, who serves as a matchmaking adviser for many local governments and emceed the Tottori dunes event, pointed out, "Young people in rural areas lack opportunities to meet partners, as well as money and confidence." She explained that they strongly tended to seek cost-effectiveness while focusing on performance over the available time, such as meeting many people. "Many events used to be luxurious, like buffets at stylish restaurants, but that's changed," she added. In Sakai, Fukui Prefecture, a matchmaking event at city hall with a 2,000 yen (around $14) fee apparently also exceeded capacity for both men and women, highlighting the appeal of government-hosted events' reliability. Participation fees used to be often higher for men, but equal fees for both men and women have become common amid growing gender equality awareness. Araki said that it is important to understand young people's desire not to fail, adding, "Approaching someone they're interested in is a high hurdle. Matchmaking apps lower that hurdle." 29 matches out of 100 participants The dunes event resulted in 29 matches (personal contact exchanges) among the 50 male and 50 female participants. It is not uncommon for only two or three matches to occur at such events, so Hasegawa called it a "great success." With cost-effectiveness, time performance and privacy protection -- the three elements sought by rural youth -- the event was a success. Another dunes event is scheduled for May 24. Men's slots filled within 10 days, prompting additional spots. While women's initial slots were full, extra applications are still being accepted. Why the government supports matchmaking Tottori Prefecture's budget for matchmaking support projects has increased year by year. In fiscal 2025, it has allocated 47 million yen (approx. $324,000) for its "Entry" marriage support center operations and 23 million yen (roughly $158,000) for new projects including the events on the sand dunes. While "Entry" facilitated a record high of 57 marriages in fiscal 2024, the overall number of marriages in the prefecture decreased from the previous fiscal year. Critics argue that government-sponsored matchmaking leads to "produce more" policies and that improving local employment and retaining women should take precedence in addressing declining birth rates. However, the Tottori government says that it plans to continue the events, driven by the belief that marriages would decline further without government support. Hasegawa stated, "In the post-COVID era, there's a growing momentum to actively seek partners. We as the prefectural government want to support relationships." (Japanese original by Reiko Noguchi, Digital News Group)
Japan Times
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Japan Times
Japan's legal system struggles to deal with AI child pornography
Disturbingly realistic sexual images of children generated by artificial intelligence are spreading worldwide across social media and online forums — often based on real photos scraped from the internet or school yearbooks. In Japan, these images fall into a legal gray zone that leaves those who have had their photos used as training data for such AI with no clear path to justice. That gap is becoming increasingly dangerous, experts warn, as AI tools are making it easier for anyone to create and share hyper-realistic images with just a few clicks. 'The current law was designed to protect real children, but generative AI has blurred the line between real and fake,' said Takashi Nagase, a lawyer and professor at Kanazawa University who helped draft internet policy at the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry. Under Japan's law on child pornography, which took effect in 1999, the possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) is illegal, but the law applies only to depictions of real, identifiable children. AI-generated content — including those known as 'deepfakes' that are made using pictures of real people — is not explicitly covered under the current framework, nor are human-drawn illustrations that depict child abuse. As a result, fictional images created using generative AI trained on photos of children often fall outside the law's reach, unless the child depicted can be clearly identified. This ambiguity is raising alarms among child protection advocates, as policymakers struggle to decide where to draw the line. Fighting to stop it One local government has taken matters into its own hands. On April 1, a revised ordinance took effect in Tottori Prefecture explicitly banning people from creating or distributing AI-generated child pornography — even if it was created outside the prefecture — using photos of children living in the prefecture. 'We've established (with the ordinance) that AI-general deepfake pornography is not something that should be allowed,' said Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai in a news conference on April 3, calling for the central government to draft a similar law. While the ordinance does not mention any punishment for violators, which would be something for future discussions, the idea behind it is to raise awareness of the issue, Hirai added. Without a national law, enforcement remains patchy and potentially limited by jurisdiction. Images kept on servers overseas or shared anonymously can be difficult to trace or remove, even when local ordinances apply. Nonprofits are also stepping up pressure. ChildFund Japan, which has long campaigned for stronger child protection policies, began focusing on AI-generated abuse imagery following the global #MeToo movement and growing public support for modernizing Japan's approach to CSAM. As AI tools become more accessible, there's a growing consensus that education must play a central role in protecting children. | Getty images In 2023, the group raised the issue in parliament, and has since hosted symposiums, launched a working group, and held discussions with lawmakers and tech platforms. In a survey it released in March, 87.9% of the 1,200 people aged 15 to 79 in Japan who responded said they want stricter legislation for banning AI-generated CSAM. 'There's growing concern that generative AI isn't being adequately addressed in Japanese media or law,' said Kazuhiko Takeda executive director of ChildFund Japan. 'The law as it stands was not made from a child's perspective. That has to change.' One possible route currently open to victims is to file a defamation lawsuit. However, this puts the burden on the child and their guardians to notice and file a complaint if their image is misused — 'a completely unrealistic expectation,' he said. Takeda said the deeper issue is one of awareness — both among lawmakers and the public, advocating for comprehensive legislation that also bans AI-generated images using real photos. Asked during a Lower House Cabinet Committee meeting on April 9 whether existing legislation is sufficient to prosecute those who create or share such images, Masahiro Komura, state minister for justice, said AI-generated CSAM can be restricted under certain conditions. Komura said if an image 'shows the posture or appearance of a real child in a way that can be visually perceived,' it may qualify as child pornography — especially if the source material is identifiable. Empowering children Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said in the same parliamentary session that a cross-ministerial task force and a government expert panel are working to address legal and ethical questions surrounding generative AI and its misuse. Other countries, meanwhile, have already moved ahead. In February, the U.K. announced a new bill that will make it illegal to possess, create or distribute AI tools designed to create CSAM, with a punishment of up to five years in prison. In the U.S., AI-generated CSAM is illegal under federal law, regardless of whether the victim exists. Experts say Japan could benefit from studying these models — but legal reform alone isn't enough. As AI tools become more accessible, there's a growing consensus that education must play a central role in protecting children. That includes teaching young people about the risks of sharing personal photos online, and integrating AI and media literacy into school curricula, which would empower them to protect themselves from evolving threats that the law has yet to catch up with. 'The generated image might be fictional — but the harm to real victims is not,' said Takeda. 'That's the line Japan needs to draw, and it needs to be drawn now.'
