Dual-income households in Japan face social and domestic pressures

As dual-income households become the standard in Japan, many families are struggling with the gap between modern working realities and outdated social structures. Data from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare shows that dual-income households reached 12.62 million in 2022, more than doubling since 1980.

Despite this shift, many families face challenges such as difficulty taking childcare leave, long working hours, and an uneven distribution of housework and childcare. These issues often stem from systemic societal failures rather than individual shortcomings.

Individual case studies highlight how these pressures manifest in daily life. For example, one dual-income family with an annual household income of 13 million yen reported significant stress due to unannounced, weekly visits from extended family members, which impacted their food expenses, household chores, and personal leisure time.