'Friendship marriage' explained: Why high earning, educated Japanese are following this trend

Friendship marriage is on the rise among financially stable and highly educated individuals in Japan.

In a society where traditional notions of marriage are deeply ingrained, a new trend is emerging among young people in Japan: "friendship marriage," a relationship that eschews romantic love and sexual intimacy in favour of companionship and shared interests.

Recent data from Colorus, a Japanese agency specialising in friendship marriages, reveals that approximately one percent of the nation's 124 million inhabitants are potential candidates for this unconventional arrangement. The trend attracts a diverse spectrum of individuals, including asexuals, homosexuals, and heterosexuals disillusioned with conventional marital expectations.

Friendship marriage, as defined by proponents, represents a cohabitating partnership grounded in mutual interests and values rather than romantic affection. Partners in such unions are legally married but forgo the conventional aspects of romantic relationships. They might cohabit or maintain separate residences, choosing artificial insemination should they desire children.

Before formalising their bond, couples engage in detailed discussions regarding everyday logistics—from meal preferences to expense-sharing—highlighting the pragmatic nature of friendship marriages. Despite the absence of traditional romance, Colorus reports that around 80 percent of these couples lead contented lives and often have children.

According to Colorus, those drawn to friendship marriage are typically 32.5 years old, financially stable, and highly educated—attributes that contribute to their openness to alternative relationship models. The appeal is particularly strong for asexuals and homosexuals, for whom conventional romantic relationships may not resonate.

The trend underscores broader societal shifts in Japan, where over 70 percent of people in their thirties still view marriage as a life goal, despite rising rates of married couples reporting no sexual activity. Increasingly, individuals are seeking alternatives like friendship marriage to project stability for career advancement or parental approval.

While friendship marriages occasionally end in divorce, they offer tangible benefits such as tax advantages and companionship—especially valuable in a society where marriage often translates into policy benefits and societal approval.

Beyond Japan, this paradigm shift is reflected globally, with young people exploring unconventional relationship dynamics. Cohabitation among close friends is on the rise in China and in Singapore as well, according to South China Morning Post.