Summary
This discussion began with a lighthearted topic: “If you could only eat one food for your whole life, what would you choose?” As participants shared their answers along with stories of their cultures and family memories, the conversation naturally broadened to social issues like marriage and declining birth rates. The discussion deeply explored perspectives on marriage and population decline across countries, questioning Japan’s institutional and cultural “constraints” and emphasizing the importance of respecting individuality. The conversation also touched on the value of qualitative dialogue using AI and metadata, and the concept of an app to promote mutual understanding. Amid laughter and empathy, participants exchanged diverse opinions on building a society where people want to marry, agreeing that resolving these issues requires not just systems but deepening personal feelings and relationships.

The discussion started in a warm atmosphere. The first topic was the question, “If you could only eat one food for your whole life, what would you choose?” Participants shared their choices and personal experiences behind them. Answers like fried rice, soba noodles, hot pot, vegetable soup, rice balls, and miso soup reflected each person’s cultural background and family memories, filling the room with laughter and empathy. One participant said, “My mother’s rice balls are my favorite in the world,” while another noted, “Eating soba lets me feel the seasons.” A foreign participant tearfully shared a shocking story about a goat once kept at home that appeared on the Christmas table, which moved the others deeply.

Through sharing these personal stories, the topic naturally shifted to marriage, family, and declining birth rates. One speaker said, “Declining birth rates aren’t just about ‘birth numbers’ but fundamentally about weak relationships and loss of life purpose.” This sparked a discussion on marriage views and the realities of declining birth rates worldwide. In the US, “love” and “sharing life” are main reasons for marriage, while “wanting children” surprisingly ranks lower, drawing surprised reactions. Conversely, in places like Africa and India, child marriage remains a serious issue, with examples of marriage and childbirth at age 11 highlighting how culture and institutions deeply influence individual choices.

The discussion then actively addressed Japan’s institutional and cultural “constraints.” Questions such as “Why must married couples share the same surname?” and “Why must couples be buried together even after death?” were raised frankly, with many voices advocating for “respect for individuality” and “freedom of choice.” One participant said, “Love isn’t eternal,” adding that “True relationships show in how much people can compromise when feelings fade,” which resonated deeply.

In the latter half, the conversation expanded to solving social issues with AI and metadata. Emphasis was placed not on relying on AI-generated content but on people sharing their own experiences and emotions to build relationships. A speaker stressed, “Each person’s words reflect their background, values, and cultural context,” and that “qualitative data,” not quantity, is essential to capture this. Within this context, plans for an upcoming app were introduced, which will enable users to share their strengths and traits with others to deepen mutual understanding.

The discussion proceeded sincerely, mixing laughter with deeply moving experiences. At the end, participants freely wrote their thoughts on how to create a society where people want to marry, posting them on the wall in a dialogic workshop. Papers were filled with diverse perspectives and hopes such as “a heart at ease to enjoy the present and future,” “two working together are richer than one alone,” and “embedding compassion in education.”

What became clear through this dialogue is that issues like declining birth rates, family, and marriage cannot be solved by “systems” or “policies” alone, but require careful consideration of individual feelings, cultural backgrounds, and social relationships. While leveraging AI and technology, this was a powerful moment reaffirming the strength of human connection and conversation.