When Love Becomes Digital: Inside Japan’s Quiet Rise of Marriages with Artificial Intelligence

In recent years, Japan has become a focal point for a striking social phenomenon: the growing number of people who form deep emotional bonds with artificial intelligence and virtual partners, sometimes even calling these relationships “marriages.” This trend has attracted global attention because it challenges traditional ideas of intimacy, companionship, and what it means to share a life with someone. In a society known for its advanced technology, intense work culture, and shifting demographics, relationships with AI are not merely curiosities but reflections of broader social changes taking place beneath the surface.