Lifestyle

This City in Japan is Encouraging Its Single Residents to Write Love Letters Instead of Using Dating Apps – Here’s Why

Published

4 years ago

June 23, 2022

Miyazaki, a city in Japan, has begun encouraging its single residents to write love letters instead of using dating apps in a new program aimed to raise Japan’s declining birth rate.

To date, the letter writing program has resulted in over 32 face-to-face meetings and has brought together 17 couples after an estimated 450 sign-ups.

Rie Miyata, who heads the program, explained that they’re encouraging the practice of letter writing to help individuals develop deeper emotional, rather than superficial, connections.

Miyata said to Agence France-Presse, “It takes longer [than online dating], and inspires you to imagine the person you’re in communication with. It’s less about how good your penmanship is and more the fact that you write every single character sincerely and with care, thinking deeply about the person you’re writing to. That’s what makes letters so powerful.”

Applicants to the program are screened then paired with another individual based on their interests, such as hobbies and their taste in books. To encourage matches on personality, profile photos are forbidden. Individuals can then send and receive up to five letters before deciding if they want to meet in person.

A program flyer can be seen below.

Lifestyle

Bollywood Star Sonam Kapoor Becomes Dior’s First South Asian Global Ambassador

Sonam Kapoor has been named Dior’s global ambassador, becoming the first South Asian to hold the role.

Published

1 year ago

November 18, 2024

Editorial Team

Sonam Kapoor has been named Dior’s global ambassador, becoming the first South Asian to hold the role.

Renowned for her role in ‘Neerja’ and her influence as a global fashion icon, Kapoor will represent Dior’s womenswear collections designed by Maria Grazia Chiuri.

This partnership celebrates elegance and modernity in high fashion, as Kapoor continues to inspire in both the fashion and film industries, with her return to acting also highly anticipated.

See the official post on Instagram below.

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A post shared by Dior Official (@dior)

Lifestyle

Renowned Japanese Artist Takashi Murakami Launches His First Footwear Brand ‘Ohana Hatake’

Celebrated Japanese artist Takashi Murakami has launched ‘Ohana Hatake,’ his debut footwear brand, blending his iconic flower motifs with new designs.

Published

1 year ago

November 14, 2024

Editorial Team

Celebrated Japanese artist Takashi Murakami has launched ‘Ohana Hatake,’ his debut footwear brand, blending his iconic flower motifs with new designs.

The collection’s name, which means “field of flowers” in Japanese, celebrates Murakami’s signature aesthetic, with the first releases featuring the Ohana Full-Bloom slides in “Apricot” and “Raspberry Rose” colorways.

Murakami shared, “I am pursuing an expression that explores the very relationship between American and Japanese cultures. I would love it if those who wear these sandals could sense how this team managed to craft something wonderful out of my quirky, off-the-mark ideas.”

See the official post on Instagram below.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ohana Hatake (@ohanahatake)

Lifestyle

Tokyo’s Government Launches An AI Dating App To Match Couples and Boost Birth Rate

The Tokyo government has introduced an AI-powered dating app, ‘Tokyo Enmusubi,’ to help singles find partners based on shared values.

Published

2 years ago

October 1, 2024

Editorial Team

The Tokyo government has introduced an AI-powered dating app, ‘Tokyo Enmusubi,’ to help singles find partners based on shared values.

Available for residents or commuters over 18, the app requires users to undergo an interview, submit identification, and answer 110 questions to ensure serious matches.

This initiative aims to address Japan’s declining birthrate by supporting singles from meeting to marriage, with membership costing 11,000 yen ($77) for two years.