A group of experts advising the government on how to boost marriage numbers has said that companies should aid employees hoping to wed by holding events to help them meet potential partners, but it ditched a proposal to create a "marriage-hunting mentor" system in the face of mounting criticism.
A group of 12 experts, including a university professor, the top editor of a woman's magazine and a number of researchers, issued a set of proposals to wrap up their discussions, which kicked off in October.
The panel was created by the Cabinet Office, which has taken charge of formulating policies to boost the nation's perennially low birthrate, which is attributed largely to more young people delaying or shunning marriage, since out-of-wedlock childbirth is relatively rare in Japan.