The “weekend marriage,” a marital arrangement in which couples live apart and see each other only a few days a week, has been gaining traction in Japan.
The couple’s homes are an hour away from each other, and they only meet two or three times a week. When asked why they chose such a lifestyle, they pointed to their different daily routine: Hiromi, a fitness gym owner and instructor, starts her day at 4 a.m., while Hidekazu, a business consultant, gets up from bed at 7 a.m.
On their feelings: Hidekazu told the BBC that because of their daily routine, he thought he would feel guilty lounging around as his wife does household chores and manages her business. Meanwhile, Hiromi said she might feel stressed and lose her freedom if she shares the house with her husband.
One con is a potential financial burden, since each spouse has to pay their own bills. Another is a possible communication issue, since the setup limits face-to-face conversation.
How people are reacting: It remains to be seen how most Japanese perceive “weekend marriages.” Hiromi and Hidekazu, for one, received mixed reactions based on traditional gender roles.
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