Dating apps in Japan are partnering with leisure spots around the country, shepherding bubbling online romances into in-person encounters. To deal with the tension between IRL and digital, apps are combining the two worlds to elevate people’s experiences while revitalising a post-pandemic economy.

When it comes to dating, what we want and how we want it is changing – post-pandemic, people want tangible relationships. After Tinder had its most swipes in history on the first Sunday after the onset of COVID-19, many have grown tired of swiping and are seeking more from the dating landscape.

Apart from offering what it’s been built to provide – chances at courtship – Chinese dating apps have taken on the role of agony aunt. Mainstream platforms are high-exposure, and this is pushing introverted young adults to turn to these apps as confidants, where they can divulge secrets and fears.

Having started as a solution for a safer taxi experience in Malaysia, Grab is the dominant ride-sharing service in south-east Asia. Set on becoming an everyday super app – will it manage to cater to the digital economy set to triple to $240 billion in the next 7 years?