Masanobu Ota, a farmer in Ureshino, Saga Prefecture, and his wife Etsuko, married last year thanks to the help of a matchmaker — the prefectural government.

Masanobu, 28, met Etsuko, 38, at a konkatsu (spouse-hunting) event held by the Saga Prefectural Government in November 2015. Working as a nurse in Tokyo, Etsuko was aware of the importance of diet and nutrition and wanted to produce her own food.

During the event, Masanobu took to Etsuko, who listened attentively when he explained his pesticide-free approach to agriculture. They agreed to see each other again whenever possible.