Warning Against 'Emotional Poverty' Caused by 'Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness' — A Think Tank That Visualizes 'Heart-Pounding Moments' Officially Launches on June 19 (Romance Day)

The Japan Romanticist Association (Headquarters: Tokyo, President: Katsunori Namibou) will officially launch its think tank, the 'Romantic Comprehensive Research Institute,' on June 19, 2026—'Romance Day'—marking its 20th anniversary, and designate the following year as the 'Romance Year.'

Official website: https://japan-romance.com/

Sounding the Alarm on 'Emotional Poverty' in the Age of 'Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness'

'Efficiency (Tai-pa),' 'cost-performance (Kos-pa),' self-investment, productivity—modern society increasingly prioritizes rationality and efficiency, leading to the gradual dismissal of things deemed 'useless.' Unnoticed, this trend fosters 'emotional poverty,' where people lose sight of 'why they work' and 'what they truly loved.'

While life becomes more convenient, the human sensitivity to intuitive encounters, heart-pounding excitement, and deep emotional connections is gradually disappearing across society.

The 'Romantic Comprehensive Research Institute' aims to study 'heart-pounding moments'—the powerful attractions that transcend rationality and efficiency—and continues to ask society what true emotional richness means.

Transforming 20 Years of 'Practical Wisdom' into Societal and Business Insights

Since its founding in 2006, defining a 'romanticist' as 'someone who can make their loved one the happiest person in the world,' the association has launched bold nationwide initiatives that spark human dialogue, such as establishing 'Romance Day,' 'Yelling Love in the Center of a Potato Field,' and the 'Loving Lighthouse Project.'

From these efforts, the association has accumulated practical knowledge about the emotional structures that drive human behavior—understanding how seemingly inefficient and 'useless' experiences contribute to life's meaning and happiness.

In an era where AI mediates human communication, the association is evolving into a think tank that decodes the emotional structures of 'heart-pounding moments' and 'romanticism,' delivering new consumer insights to corporations, local governments, and media.

Five Research Initiatives During the Romance Year

This year, as part of its 20th-anniversary campaign, the association will launch five research projects to decode the emotional structures that move people.

1. Launch of 'Endangered Romantic Species'

Preserving small joys and sensitivities—such as handwritten notes, pre-meeting excitement, and postcards from trips—that are disappearing in an efficiency-driven era, labeling them as 'Endangered Romantic Species.'

The association will solicit nationwide input on romantic customs and experiences worth preserving for future generations and analyze them.

2. Launch of the 'Nationwide Romanticization Project'

What Japanese landscapes or phenomena do people find emotionally valuable?

The project will collect nominations of romantic places and experiences across Japan, uncover hidden 'emotional assets' in non-touristy areas, certify them, and promote them as new regional attractions.

3. Publication of the 'White Paper on Japanese Romanticism 2026'

A large-scale survey will examine the current state of 'heart-pounding moments' in modern life, including trends like seeking relationship advice from AI and the rise of non-marital partnerships. In collaboration with experts and researchers, the first white paper will be published in fiscal year 2027.

4. Launch of the 'Romantic Diagnosis'

A diagnostic tool will be released, categorizing individuals' romantic sensibilities through seven perspectives that decode 'heart-pounding moments':

- Romanticism in Love - Adventurous Romanticism - Sensual Romantic 7. Fantastical Romanticism

Through this diagnosis, individuals can visualize what truly moves them and what experiences they value, aiming to restore sensitivity often lost in busy daily lives.

5. Concept of 'TOKYO WORLD TRAVEL'

A 'Gourmet Passport for a World Tour Within the City' that explores restaurants from 195 countries concentrated in Tokyo.

To explore the potential of 'outbound culture'—the reverse of inbound strategies—the association is currently seeking partner companies to co-develop this initiative.

Inquiries: https://japan-romance.com/contact/

▼ For sponsorship or collaboration inquiries, please visit:

https://japan-romance.com/contact/

· TOKYO WORLD TRAVEL Detailed Materials

d86409-119-5dec42887ca9e4fdf163cf75f45215f4.pdf

[Comment from Katsunori Namibou, President of the Japan Romanticist Association]

In today’s society, where rationality and efficiency are highly valued, 'useless' things are quietly discarded. Before we know it, we lose sight of 'why we work' and 'what we truly loved,' resulting in 'emotional poverty.'

But when we pause, are people’s inner worlds truly filled with excitement and imagination?

Precisely because of this era, it is crucial to carefully re-examine what moves people, who they connect with, and how they find happiness.

The Romantic Comprehensive Research Institute aims to transform the intuitively described concepts of 'heart-pounding moments' and 'romanticism' into visible, actionable insights for society and business.

On our 20th anniversary, we will share 'romanticism' not just as a domain of love, but as a new clue to enhance well-being for businesses, local governments, regions, and individuals.

About the Japan Romanticist Association

The Japan Romanticist Association is a think tank that re-examines society and envisions the future from the perspective of 'romanticism,' based on seven dimensions: love, adventure, sensuality, nostalgia, celebration, creativity, and fantasy.

Official website: https://japan-romance.com/

Planned and operated by World Eggs Inc.

About the Romantic Comprehensive Research Institute

The 'Romantic Comprehensive Research Institute' is a research organization established by the Japan Romanticist Association (operated by World Eggs Inc.). It investigates and studies the reasons behind 'heart-pounding moments'—the powerful attractions that transcend rationality—and reveals hidden consumer insights to create new value for products and services.