Japanese man stops search for perfect woman, marries computer hologram

Virtually ever after: Kondo posing with a doll of Hatsune Miku as he shows their marriage certificate at his apartment in Tokyo. — AFP

TOKYO: When newlywed Akihiko Kondo returns from work at a middle school in a Tokyo suburb, he is greeted by the love of his life, who lights up – literally – in welcome.

His wife, Hatsune Miku, is not flesh and blood but a computer-generated hologram.

Her ethereal existence did not stop Kondo, 35, from strengthening his commitment to her with a recent US$18,000 (RM75,400) wedding ceremony.

“I believe the shape of happiness and love is different for each person,” Kondo said.

“There definitely is a template for happiness, where a real man and woman get married, have a child and live all together.But I don’t believe such a template can necessarily make everyone happy,” the civil servant said.

Hatsune Miku was developed as computer-generated singing software with the persona of a big-eyed, 16-year-old pop star with long, aqua-coloured hair.

It is based on a voice-synthesising program by media firm Crypton Future Media, which declined to comment when contacted.

The hologram recognises Kondo’s face and voice with its embedded camera and microphone and can respond with simple phrases and songs.

Extreme devotion to celebrities is not uncommon in Japan, but Kondo’s wedding did raise some eyebrows. While 39 friends and relatives attended the Nov 4 ceremony, his parents did not.

The ceremony included the customary exchange of wedding rings. His wife’s ring was placed on the finger of a stuffed doll shaped in her image.

Kondo received good wishes and congratulations from friends and fellow Hatsune Miku fans on Twitter. He was also accused of being a “creepy otaku”, or a geek.

He was among 3,700 Japanese who signed up for marriage registration forms offered by tech developer Gatebox in 2017, enabling them to “wed” their favourite virtual characters, although the ceremonies have no legal standing.

Nevertheless, Kondo hoped his wedding would inspire others to find marital happiness, in whatever form it might take. — Reuters