With social distancing being the new normal in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, more and more activities are now being done online. In Japan, concerts and theatre performances are being streamed on the internet, while more companies are doing telework and holding online meetings.

This shift can be seen in social events too, like in the staple of Japanese after-work culture: the drinking party, or nomikai (飲み会). Whereas before they used to be held face-to-face in bars, they’re now being done online, with video calling applications being specifically released for nomikais.

Now even matchmaking services in Japan are finding ways to get people to meet while maintaining social distancing protocols, and one such way is through an online drinking party targeted to all the cat lovers in the country.

Details for the event mention that singles aged 30 to 45 years old can join under the condition that they must love cats.

Participation is free, with the virtual meetup being held through a video call application. Those who own a cat can hop on and introduce their furry friend, meanwhile those without are still free to meet the others.

This is one of the nightly online nomikais that the matchmaking company hosts as part of their services. The inaugural cat lovers nomikai happened on April 15, 2020, with a second nomikai taking place the week after. So we might just expect a weekly recurrence of cat lovers in Japan finding love online in the time of the coronavirus.