Global Love Report – May 28th, 2025
English summary by Margaret
LiPro, a Japanese media platform specializing in relationship services and lifestyle rankings, has compiled this list of Japan’s top matchmaking franchises based on critical factors including member base size, pricing, service offerings, support quality, flexibility, client satisfaction, and organizational reputation. Below, we explore the most prominent players in the Japanese matchmaking industry, offering essential insights for professionals looking to understand or refer clients within Japan’s matchmaking market.
Zwei
Zwei is one of Japan’s largest matchmaking networks, operating more than 50 branches nationwide. As an IBJ affiliate, Zwei offers an expansive partner database and a variety of matchmaking methods, including data-driven matching and personalized introductions. Its service flexibility accommodates a wide range of client needs.
- Introduction Methods: Data matching, partner search, matchmaker introductions, matchmaking parties
- Membership: ~102,000 members (Zwei + IBJ, July 2024)
- Affiliation: IBJ
Pricing – Introduction Plan
- Registration Fee: $797
- Monthly Fee: $107
- Marriage Fee: $0
Application Allowance
- Data Referral: 6/month
- Search: 11/month
Target Demographic
- Men: 20s–50s
- Women: 20s–40s
En Matchmaking Agency
Known for its low-cost, fully online model, En Matchmaking Agency is ideal for clients seeking affordability and flexibility. In addition to matchmaking services, it offers educational resources such as online support and matchmaking classes.
- Introduction Methods: Data matching, partner search
- Membership: ~187,000 members (as of July 2024)
- Affiliations: Connectship, JBA, TMS
Pricing
- Registration Fee: $112
- Monthly Fee: $96
- Marriage Fee: $0
Application Allowance
- Data Introductions: 6/month
- Search: 10/month
Target Demographic
- Men & Women: 20s–40s
O-net
With over four decades of industry experience, O-net blends traditional and modern matchmaking methods. Clients can access various optional support features and choose between plans tailored to their needs.
- Introduction Methods: Data matching, partner search, matchmaker introductions, matchmaking parties
- Membership: ~125,000 (O-net + IBJ, Dec 2023)
- Affiliation: IBJ
Pricing
- Registration Fee: $830
- Monthly Fee: $107
- Marriage Fee: $0
Application Allowance
- Data Introductions: 6/month
- AI Matching: 3/month
- Search: 5/month
Target Demographic
- Men & Women: 20s–50s
Partner Agent
Partner Agent is widely recognized for its personalized support and strong success rates. Clients benefit from one-on-one coaching, regular activity reports, and customized matchmaking strategies.
- Introduction Methods: Matchmaker introductions, data matching, partner search, matchmaking parties
- Membership: ~98,000 (as of August 2024)
- Affiliations: Connectship, SCRUM
Pricing
- Initial Fee: $737
- Monthly Fee: $141
- Marriage Fee: $507
Application Allowance
- Introductions: 6/month
- AI Matching: 2/month
- Search: 8/month
Target Demographic
- Men: 30s–40s
- Women: 20s–40s
Sunmarie
Affiliated with IBJ, Sunmarie offers hands-on guidance across every phase of the matchmaking journey, from plan creation and profile building to engagement. Clients can choose from nine different introduction methods and access up to 80 free educational courses.
- Introduction Methods: Matchmaker introductions, data matching, partner search, matchmaking parties
- Membership: ~91,000 (IBJ data, July 2024)
- Affiliation: IBJ
Pricing
- Registration Fee: $1,253
- Monthly Fee: $126
- Marriage Fee: $1,453
Application Allowance
- Manual Introductions: 2–3/month
Zexy Matchmaking Agency
Zexy is celebrated for both its affordability and customer satisfaction, having earned the No.1 spot in the Oricon customer satisfaction survey six years in a row. It offers robust support, including profile creation, date coordination, and communication mediation.
- Introduction Methods: Matchmaker introductions, partner search
- Membership: ~32,000 (March 2023)
- Affiliation: Connectship
Pricing
- Registration Fee: $220
- Monthly Fee: $120
- Marriage Fee: $0
Application Allowance
- Introductions: 6/month
- Searches: 20/month
Target Demographic
- Men: 30s–40s
- Women: 20s–30s
IBJ Members
Operated by Japan’s largest matchmaking company, IBJ Members offers unmatched scale and support quality. Advanced tools like AI matching and keyword tagging help refine partner searches, while engagement support ensures a complete service experience.
- Introduction Methods: Data matching, partner search, matchmaking parties
- Membership: ~94,000 (as of October 2024)
- Affiliation: IBJ
Pricing – 1-Year Program
- Initial Fee: $1,700
- Monthly Fee: $115
- Marriage Fee: $1,470
Application Allowance
- Partner Searches: 20/month
Target Demographic
- Men: 30s–40s
- Women: 20s–30s
Smart Marriage
Smart Marriage offers a fully remote experience with affordable pricing. It’s well-suited to clients who prefer a DIY approach with optional support. The system supports up to 30,000 potential matches and allows users to engage on their own schedule.
- Introduction Methods: Data matching, partner search
- Membership: ~30,000 (as of Feb 2022)
- Affiliation: Connectship
Pricing
- Registration Fee: $45
- Monthly Fee: $67
- Marriage Fee: $0
Application Allowance
- Introductions: 6/month
- Searches: 10/month
Target Demographic
- Men: 20s–40s
- Women: 20s–30s
Fiore
Fiore is a full-service agency offering matchmaker introductions, AI matching, and unlimited search-based matchmaking. Backed by multiple federations, Fiore also offers activity analytics and self-development seminars aimed at helping clients make meaningful progress.
- Introduction Methods: Matchmaker introductions, data matching, partner search
- Membership: ~87,000 (Jan 2024)
- Affiliations: Connectship, SCRUM
Pricing
- Initial Fee: $1,100
- Monthly Fee: $88
- Marriage Fee: $740
Application Allowance
- Unlimited search-based matchmaking
Target Demographic
- Men: 20s–50s
- Women: 20s–40s
Musbell
Musbell boasts one of the industry’s largest databases thanks to its affiliation with four major federations. The agency provides unlimited matchmaking opportunities and a high success rate via matchmaker referrals, reported to be 2.4x more effective than client-initiated matches.
- Introduction Methods: Matchmaker introductions, party search, matchmaking events
- Membership: ~210,000 (as of Sept 2023)
- Affiliations: IBJ, TMS, BIU, JBU
Pricing
- Initial Fee: $2,200
- Monthly Fee: $105
- Marriage Fee: $2,200
Application Allowance
- Unlimited search-based matchmaking
- Referral limits vary by federation
Target Demographic
- Men & Women: 20s–60s
Suspension Fees (Monthly Hold Plans)
Several matchmaking agencies in Japan offer suspension systems that allow clients to temporarily pause their membership without canceling, by paying a reduced monthly fee instead of the full membership cost. Below are examples of suspension fees:
- Zwei: $11/month
- Partner Agent: $7/month
- En Matchmaking Agency: $48/month
- Smart Marriage: $30/month
- Zexy Matchmaking Agency: $7/month
- O-net: $15/month
- Fiore: Free
Money-Back Guarantee Policies
To build trust and provide peace of mind, many agencies offer money-back guarantees under specific conditions, primarily if no successful match or introduction occurs within a defined period.
- En Matchmaking Agency: Full refund of the registration fee and three months of membership fees if no match is made within three months.
- Smart Marriage: Offers the same guarantee, a full refund if no match occurs by the end of the third month.
- IBJ Members: Provides a prorated refund in the case of mid-term cancellation, with the refund amount varying depending on the course and usage period.
Originally published by: LiPro
