[Marriage Support Service for Local Governments] "Iju-kon" (Migration Marriage) to Begin in Kochi Prefecture from April 2026, with 34 Municipalities Participating
The Japan Marriage Support Association is launching its "Iju-kon" project in Kochi Prefecture starting April 1, 2026, involving 34 municipalities. This initiative aims to promote regional revitalization by simultaneously supporting marriage and migration for individuals looking to move from urban areas to rural communities.
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- 📰 Published: April 1, 2026 at 18:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 09:36
The Japan Marriage Support Association (Location: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Kokki Goto), in collaboration with the Kochi Prefectural Government's Vibrant Future Creation Division, will begin accepting participants for its marriage support project aimed at regional revitalization, "Iju-kon" (Migration Marriage), across 34 municipalities in Kochi Prefecture starting April 1, 2026.
This initiative is a new model that seeks to simultaneously drive the influx of human resources from outside the region and promote permanent settlement by integrating marriage support with migration promotion.
■ Background
Marriage support programs run by local governments often face challenges such as a stagnant pool of participants, a lack of opportunities to meet new people, and gender imbalances (particularly a shortage of women), making it difficult to find solutions solely within the local region. Given this, there is a demand for new approaches that incorporate matching with individuals from outside the region.
■ What is "Iju-kon"?
"Iju-kon" is an initiative that provides both marriage partner introductions and migration support to single individuals who wish to move from urban areas to rural regions. It goes beyond simply providing opportunities to meet; it offers support that considers life after marriage, including employment and child-rearing environments, thereby realizing marriage support and migration promotion as a single, integrated effort.
To date, local governments in 12 prefectures across Japan have participated, with a cumulative total of 2,044 applicants (as of the end of March 2026).
◎ The choice of "Iju-kon": Connecting encounters with a new life
・A wide-area matching project deployed in 12 prefectures, with 2,044 cumulative applicants.
・Applicants can generally use the service for free, and online support allows for applications from anywhere in the country.
・It is possible to choose a destination based on one's ideal life and lifestyle.
・Supports both marriage and migration, assisting with the step from meeting someone to starting a new life.
・Provides diverse opportunities for encounters and interaction while utilizing marriage support programs implemented by the municipalities where the applicant wishes to move.
・Supports the creation of an environment where one can live with peace of mind by utilizing employment support, migration support systems, and child-rearing support.
・From meeting to moving, and then to settling down. A new option for designing a life that is true to yourself.
■ Kochi Prefecture's Appeal and Receiving Environment
Kochi Prefecture is blessed with a mild climate, a rich natural environment, and a vibrant food culture, and it is a region where the warmth of its people is deeply rooted. This environment has a high affinity with "Iju-kon," where people begin a new life in a new land through marriage, providing a foundation that naturally connects meeting someone to settling down.
■ Participating Municipalities (34 in total)
Kochi City, Muroto City, Aki City, Nankoku City, Tosa City, Susaki City, Sukumo City, Tosashimizu City, Shimanto City, Konan City, Kami City, Toyo Town, Nahari Town, Tano Town, Yasuda Town, Kitagawa Village, Umaji Village, Geisei Village, Motoyama Town, Otoyo Town, Tosa Town, Okawa Village, Ino Town, Niyodogawa Town, Nakatosa Town, Sakawa Town, Ochi Town, Hidaka Village, Tsuno Town, Yusuhara Town, Shimanto Town, Kuroshio Town, Otsuki Town, Mihara Village
Furthermore, within the prefecture, marriage support such as matching assistance and comprehensive guidance is being developed, centered around the Kochi Encounter Support Center, establishing a system where the entire region supports new relationships and new lives.
■ Contact Information (Reception Desk)
Kochi Encounter Support Center
2F Daido Life Kochi Building, 5-5 Ekimae-cho, Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture 780-0053
TEL: 088-821-8081
https://www.koishiyo.pref.kochi.lg.jp/
■ Kochi Prefecture Responsible Division
Vibrant Future Creation Division, Kochi Prefectural Government
1-2-20 Marunouchi, Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture 780-8570
TEL: 088-821-9717 (Direct)
https://www.pref.kochi.lg.jp/
■ Related Links
・Iju-kon Official Website: https://konkatu.or.jp/ijukon2020/
・Application Form: https://pro.form-mailer.jp/lp/91d54103219449
・Document Request for Local Governments: https://konkatu.or.jp/contact/
・Recruitment of Participating Municipalities: https://konkatu.or.jp/press_release2025_0924/
・Japan Marriage Support Association Official Website: https://konkatu.or.jp/
■ Organization Introduction: Japan Marriage Support Association
Established in 2010. Conducts marriage-hunting events and seminars nationwide for single individuals who are "serious about getting married."
Since 2020, it has been collaborating with local governments to promote the "Iju-kon" project, which fuses marriage support with regional revitalization. It works to solve regional issues centered on marriage, such as creating "related populations" (people who have a connection to a region), promoting permanent settlement, and fostering local leaders.
This initiative is a new model that seeks to simultaneously drive the influx of human resources from outside the region and promote permanent settlement by integrating marriage support with migration promotion.
■ Background
Marriage support programs run by local governments often face challenges such as a stagnant pool of participants, a lack of opportunities to meet new people, and gender imbalances (particularly a shortage of women), making it difficult to find solutions solely within the local region. Given this, there is a demand for new approaches that incorporate matching with individuals from outside the region.
■ What is "Iju-kon"?
"Iju-kon" is an initiative that provides both marriage partner introductions and migration support to single individuals who wish to move from urban areas to rural regions. It goes beyond simply providing opportunities to meet; it offers support that considers life after marriage, including employment and child-rearing environments, thereby realizing marriage support and migration promotion as a single, integrated effort.
To date, local governments in 12 prefectures across Japan have participated, with a cumulative total of 2,044 applicants (as of the end of March 2026).
◎ The choice of "Iju-kon": Connecting encounters with a new life
・A wide-area matching project deployed in 12 prefectures, with 2,044 cumulative applicants.
・Applicants can generally use the service for free, and online support allows for applications from anywhere in the country.
・It is possible to choose a destination based on one's ideal life and lifestyle.
・Supports both marriage and migration, assisting with the step from meeting someone to starting a new life.
・Provides diverse opportunities for encounters and interaction while utilizing marriage support programs implemented by the municipalities where the applicant wishes to move.
・Supports the creation of an environment where one can live with peace of mind by utilizing employment support, migration support systems, and child-rearing support.
・From meeting to moving, and then to settling down. A new option for designing a life that is true to yourself.
■ Kochi Prefecture's Appeal and Receiving Environment
Kochi Prefecture is blessed with a mild climate, a rich natural environment, and a vibrant food culture, and it is a region where the warmth of its people is deeply rooted. This environment has a high affinity with "Iju-kon," where people begin a new life in a new land through marriage, providing a foundation that naturally connects meeting someone to settling down.
■ Participating Municipalities (34 in total)
Kochi City, Muroto City, Aki City, Nankoku City, Tosa City, Susaki City, Sukumo City, Tosashimizu City, Shimanto City, Konan City, Kami City, Toyo Town, Nahari Town, Tano Town, Yasuda Town, Kitagawa Village, Umaji Village, Geisei Village, Motoyama Town, Otoyo Town, Tosa Town, Okawa Village, Ino Town, Niyodogawa Town, Nakatosa Town, Sakawa Town, Ochi Town, Hidaka Village, Tsuno Town, Yusuhara Town, Shimanto Town, Kuroshio Town, Otsuki Town, Mihara Village
Furthermore, within the prefecture, marriage support such as matching assistance and comprehensive guidance is being developed, centered around the Kochi Encounter Support Center, establishing a system where the entire region supports new relationships and new lives.
■ Contact Information (Reception Desk)
Kochi Encounter Support Center
2F Daido Life Kochi Building, 5-5 Ekimae-cho, Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture 780-0053
TEL: 088-821-8081
https://www.koishiyo.pref.kochi.lg.jp/
■ Kochi Prefecture Responsible Division
Vibrant Future Creation Division, Kochi Prefectural Government
1-2-20 Marunouchi, Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture 780-8570
TEL: 088-821-9717 (Direct)
https://www.pref.kochi.lg.jp/
■ Related Links
・Iju-kon Official Website: https://konkatu.or.jp/ijukon2020/
・Application Form: https://pro.form-mailer.jp/lp/91d54103219449
・Document Request for Local Governments: https://konkatu.or.jp/contact/
・Recruitment of Participating Municipalities: https://konkatu.or.jp/press_release2025_0924/
・Japan Marriage Support Association Official Website: https://konkatu.or.jp/
■ Organization Introduction: Japan Marriage Support Association
Established in 2010. Conducts marriage-hunting events and seminars nationwide for single individuals who are "serious about getting married."
Since 2020, it has been collaborating with local governments to promote the "Iju-kon" project, which fuses marriage support with regional revitalization. It works to solve regional issues centered on marriage, such as creating "related populations" (people who have a connection to a region), promoting permanent settlement, and fostering local leaders.