The Secret to a Strong Marriage: Sharing Household Responsibilities Revealed!

On November 22, known as 'Good Couple Day' in Japan, a revealing survey conducted by Oisix and Money Forward Home explored the division of household chores among couples and partners. This survey aimed to identify the keys to a harmonious relationship by analyzing how couples perceive their sharing of domestic responsibilities, including finances.

Survey Insights

The survey engaged 906 individuals aged between their 20s and 40s across Japan, uncovering significant disparities in perceptions of household contributions. A striking 62% of women reported they handle the majority of household tasks, as opposed to just 42% of men who felt the same about their contributions. Interestingly, when asked about fairness in domestic responsibilities, both genders reported similar feelings of fairness, with about 42% of women and 43% of men expressing that their division of labor was 'fair'. These figures emphasize a notable disconnect between the actual burden of chores and how couples perceive it, suggesting underlying feelings of inequity.

Moreover, nearly 50% of respondents chose 'neutral' when asked about fairness, hinting at unspoken frustrations that could accumulate over time, potentially leading to greater issues in the relationship.

Fairness Doesn't Always Mean Equal Sharing

An analysis of the correlation between burden and perceived fairness revealed that those who felt their division was fair often had a lower individual share of chores — specifically between 10% and 40% for about 43% of respondents. Many expressed feelings of contentment stemming from mutual agreement on chore distributions and working within each partner's strengths. Conversely, individuals who felt significant unfairness in their domestic roles tended to either carry too little (<10%) or too much (over 70%) of the burden. This stark divide indicates that equitable sharing, rather than exact division, is crucial in fostering a sense of fairness.

Common Sources of Frustration: Food and Money

Survey findings highlighted that couples frequently experience friction over food and finances. The most cited source of everyday irritation was differing lifestyle habits, followed by disagreements regarding meal preparation and money management. Open-ended responses revealed common complaints such as, 'I wish we equally shared cooking duties,' and 'It's challenging to plan our meals while keeping nutritional balance.'

When it comes to finances, respondents reported difficulties in aligning spending priorities and managing joint finances, citing issues like differing values regarding spending and saving.

Collaborative Solutions for Couples

To address these issues, Oisix has introduced the 'Oisix CookBox', a special menu in collaboration with the wedding magazine Zexy, designed to alleviate the burden of meal planning and cooking for couples. This CookBox includes recipes and all necessary ingredients for easy meal preparation, helping couples split the cooking duties, thus enhancing their partnership. Starting November 20, 2025, this unique offering will guide couples through collaborative cooking experiences while supporting effective integration of domestic responsibilities.

Conclusion

In today's fast-paced world, the importance of sharing household tasks and financial management cannot be overstated. The insights from this survey underline the necessity of communication and collaborative effort between partners. Utilizing tools such as the Oisix CookBox can help alleviate common stressors such as meal preparation while promoting teamwork. As couples navigate their shared lives, understanding and empathizing with each other's perspectives on chores can lead to healthier, more fulfilling relationships.