Matchmaking initiative in Miyazaki has brought together 17 couples, as Japan battles falling birthrate

Japan’s faltering campaign to raise its birthrate has gone analogue, with authorities in a south-western city encouraging potential suitors to put pen to paper and wait patiently for a reply rather than simply swiping right.

The city of Miyazaki says hundreds of men and women have dabbled in old-fashioned letter writing since the matchmaking scheme was launched two years ago. While there have been no wedding bells, the programme has spawned 32 face-to-face meetings and brought together 17 couples.