NEW YORK TIMES – Professional matchmaking is gaining ground among younger singles in Japan. IBJ, one of the country’s largest matchmaking companies, has seen membership grow ~50% over the past five years, while first-half revenue jumped 44% to ~$91M. The company says its network is involved in roughly one in every 25 marriages in Japan. Members receive support from consultants throughout the dating process, with typical costs including monthly fees of $30 to $100, enrollment fees of $650 to $1,300, and a $1,300 success fee upon engagement. IBJ is also targeting younger singles with advertising such as “Better one omiai than 100 swipes.”
