OTSU -- A matchmaking event utilizing the latest technology to visualize how people feel about each other is scheduled to be held later this month, and the Shiga Prefectural Government's online marriage support center Shiga-Yui is looking for participants.

The cutting-edge technology is called the "Kokoro Distance Meter," literally meaning "heart distance meter," that may help solve interpersonal difficulties such as relationship problems. Around 40 students led by Shima Okada, professor of biomedical engineering at Ritsumeikan University's College of Science and Engineering, worked on developing the technology for three years since 2020. Developers apparently recognized the need for technology to measure the emotional closeness between people as students lacked face-to-face communication amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The technology utilizes the phenomenon where people have an increased heart rate and close physical proximity the more they connect with those they are conversing with. Measurements of one's heart rate and physical distance between them and the other party are sent from an armband to the linked smartphone

At the matchmaking event planned for Dec. 21 at Ritsumeikan University's Biwako-Kusatsu Campus in Kusatsu, Shiga Prefecture, all participants will wear the armbands and engage in one-on-one conversations or group activities. During that time, staffers will analyze the data sent to the linked smartphones. According to developers, the empathy level is visually represented by a circle that turns red the more one relates to the other person

After data analysis, pairs with the strongest emotional connection are announced on the site. The event will proceed to a session for freewheeling conversation, during which the participants will be encouraged to talk at least once with their recommended partners.

Shiga Prefecture launched Shiga-Yui in 2022 in response to the decrease in opportunities for people to find love amid the COVID-19 pandemic with the aim to provide such opportunities as part of their efforts to combat the declining birth rate. This marriage support center has a unique system where artificial intelligence introduces compatible partners, and also holds in-person matchmaking events that utilize the characteristics of the local community, such as ones that allow participants to experience farming.

As of the end of August, there were 1,491 registered members, and the center helped 2,149 pairs have successful matchmaking sessions. Among them, 36 couples had decided to tie the knot and voluntarily left the platform as of Nov. 6.

After its development, the Kokoro Distance Meter had been used experimentally by Professor Okada and the team concerning interpersonal relationships among elementary school students. But after students involved in the development suggested that the technology could also be utilized to help people find love, the team proposed its use at Shiga-Yui matchmaking events.

Professor Okada explained, "At matchmaking events, people tend to focus on the specific terms for their future partner, but since a marriage partner is someone you spend time with for a long time, I hope people can find someone who they can emotionally connect with."

Applications for the event will be accepted until Dec. 11. The event is open to 15 men and 15 women, all single individuals between the ages of around 25 and 40 who are considering to get married. A lottery will be held if the number of applicants surpasses the capacity. Participation is free of charge. For more inquiries, contact Shiga-Yui at 050-1791-5830 (in Japanese). The center is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

(Japanese original by Ririn Iitsuka, Otsu Bureau)