Ten people out of 400 find partner in 10m JPY matchmaking event

[thomas]

According to the Aichi Prefectural Government, approximately ten individuals discovered a romantic partner during a matchmaking event in central Japan. The event attracted around 400 marriage-seekers and carried a hefty price tag of roughly 10 million JPY (equivalent to about USD 67,000). The government's survey results indicated that the event served as a meeting place for potential partners and a catalyst for supporting those pursuing marriage. However, some marriage support groups expressed a more critical perspective, asserting that the event's cost-effectiveness was questionable.

The matchmaking event -- one of the largest in Japan -- was held last October in the city of Nagakute next to Nagoya at the Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park, home to the popular Ghibli Park. Applications outnumbered places by five to one, and 200 men and women each were selected by lottery to create connections through activities such as looking for items from Studio Ghibli's anime works. A total of 148 participants responded to an online survey conducted in January of this year. Of these, 10 respondents, or 7%, said that they developed a relationship with someone they met at the event. More than 90% of all respondents had exchanged contact information with participants of the opposite sex, but only 65% had kept in touch, and less than 40% had met in person afterward. While nearly 60% of the respondents said that they became more positive about marriage hunting through the event, some said that it was difficult to talk enough with their desired partner because of the large number of participants.

10 people out of 400 find romance at $67,000 matchmaking event in central Japan - The Mainichi

NAGOYA -- Success? A waste of money? Ten people found a romantic partner at a roughly 10-million-yen (about $67,000) matchmaking event held in central

mainichi.jp