TOKYO - The Japanese marriage market for middle-aged and older adults is booming, fueled by a sharp increase in late-life divorces. At venues such as the legendary Maharaja Roppongi disco in Tokyo, once a symbol of youthful exuberance, around 100 men and women in their 50s and 60s gathered recently for a marriage party.
Participants took turns dancing under a mirror ball and chatting during designated talk sessions, hoping to find new partners “like the old days.”
According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, divorces among couples who had lived together for more than 20 years reached 23.8% of all divorces in 2024, the highest level on record. Many separations are linked to retirement or children leaving home, creating a surge in demand for new companionship later in life.
Alongside traditional gatherings, matchmaking apps tailored to the over-50 demographic have grown rapidly. One operator reported a tenfold increase in users since 2024. Unlike younger users, many in this age group are seeking not only spouses or romantic partners but also friendship and emotional connection.
One 60-year-old woman, identified as Minami, divorced her husband five years ago after raising three children. Encouraged by younger colleagues who found partners through apps, she decided to try online matchmaking. While she has yet to find the right partner, she expressed hopes of meeting someone who shares her interests, such as golf. After a recent dinner in Ginza with a man she had met on an app, she said he was kind but not the right match, and that she would continue her search at her own pace.
Experts, however, warn that middle-aged users are particularly vulnerable to online scams. Journalist Fumiaki Tada noted that many are inexperienced with digital dating and may be targeted by fraudsters. He advised users to remain cautious, keep conversations within app platforms, be wary of suspicious photos, and most importantly, recognize financial requests as potential red flags.
Source: FNN
