What is friendship marriage? Know all about Japan's relationship trend 

Young adults in Japan are having a new type of marital relationship that requires neither love nor sex, this trend is called 'friendship marriage'.

Around one per cent of Japan’s population of 124 million are indulging in this relationship and the number is growing day by day. It mostly includes asexuals, homosexuals, and heterosexuals.

An agency called Colorus, specializing in friendship marriage, shared that around 500 people in Japan have been involved in this type of marriage since 2015.

What is 'friendship marriage'?

Friendship marriage is defined as “a cohabitating relationship based on shared interests and values.” It is not about traditional romantic love or marrying a best friend.

In such relationships, the partners are legally spouses, but without romantic love or sexual interaction. Couples may live together or separately. If they decide to have children, they might decide to use artificial insemination.

“Friendship marriage is like finding a roommate with similar interests,” explained someone who has been in such an arrangement for three years.

Although these types of relationships sometimes end in divorce, the advantages include enjoying policy benefits, companionship and “helping those who feel lost, dislike traditional marriage, or consider themselves social outcasts”, Colorus said.

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