真爱或许无价。但在日本，20多岁年轻人纷纷涌向婚介公司；这些公司承诺提供一条通往婚礼的捷径，并为此收取高价。
True love may be priceless. But in Japan, 20-somethings are flocking to marriage agencies that promise a fast track to the altar — and charge a premium for it.
数百年来，直至二战后时期，日本婚姻一直通过相亲撮合——通常由亲属、朋友或上司充当媒人，把身边的单身男女联系起来。
For hundreds of years, through the post-World War II era, Japanese marriages were brokered through omiai, a practice in which matchmakers — usually relatives, family friends or bosses — linked singles in their orbit.
但后来这种习俗逐渐失宠，让位于自由恋爱，并最终催生了 casual-dating 应用（交友软件）的浪潮。
But the custom fell out of fashion, giving way to organic dating and, eventually, a wave of casual-dating apps.
如今，年轻人正以创纪录的速度报名婚介机构，由咨询师担任职业媒人。
Now, young adults are enrolling at record rates in marriage agencies, where counselors serve as professional matchmakers.
在东京的地铁车厢里，随处可见催促通勤者“把人生中决定命运的偶遇交给专业人士”的广告。另一则广告则写道：“与其滑动100次，不如相亲一次。”
Across Tokyo, s line metro cars, urging commuters to “leave life’s fateful encounters to the pros.”Another declares: “Better one omiai than 100 swipes.”