Japanese civil servant weds computer-generated hologram he discovered singing online
- Akihiko Kondo, 35, spent US$18,000 on the ceremony, which was attended by 39 friends and relatives – but not his parents
- 3,700 Japanese signed up for registration forms offered by a tech developer in 2017 enabling them to ‘wed’ their favourite virtual characters
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 wedding ceremony.
I believe the shape of happiness and love is different for each person
“I believe the shape of happiness and love is different for each person,” said the civil servant.
“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.”
Hatsune Miku is as a piece of computer-generated singing software with the persona of a big-eyed, 16-year-old pop star who has long, aqua-coloured hair.
It is based on a voice synthesising software developed by media firm Crypton Future Media, which declined to comment when contacted about the wedding.
The hologram recognises Kondo’s face and voice with its embedded camera and microphone and can respond with simple phrases and songs.