A widely ridiculed Japanese government idea to woo Tokyo women into marrying men in rural areas by offering cash payouts and train tickets to matchmaking events has been scrapped, officials say.

The Japanese government has abandoned a plan to offer cash payouts and train tickets to encourage Tokyo women to marry and relocate to rural areas. The proposal met with criticism on social media and raised concerns over gender inequality.

Japan has abandoned a controversial plan to offer cash incentives to Tokyo women for marrying and moving to rural areas after widespread criticism.