JapanWhat is the duty to share marriage expenses?
Spouses in Japan have a mutual legal duty to share marriage expenses according to their income, assets, and ability to pay, as required by the Civil Code.
What the Law Says
Japanese civil law imposes a mutual duty on spouses to support each other and share the costs of maintaining their marital life.
This duty is not based on equal contribution, but on each spouse’s actual financial capacity—including income, property, health, and other relevant circumstances.
The law does not prescribe a fixed percentage or formula. Instead, courts and families assess fairness case-by-case, focusing on reasonableness and proportionality.
Either spouse may request contribution from the other if they are bearing an unfair share of household or family-related expenses.
Statutory TextHusband and wife shall live together, cooperate with each other and mutually support each other.
— Civil Code, Art. 752 — Duties of Spouses
Statutory TextHusband and wife shall share the expenses of the marriage in accordance with their assets and ability to earn.
— Civil Code, Art. 760 — Sharing of Marriage Expenses
What to Do
Review your combined household income, assets, and ongoing marital expenses (e.g., rent, utilities, childcare, education).
Discuss and document a fair contribution arrangement based on current financial capacity—not past earnings or gender roles.
If disagreement arises, consult a family counselor or lawyer; mediation is available through family courts before litigation.
Keep records of payments and agreements—informal understandings may be considered in disputes over shared obligations.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.