1.
common-law marriage; de facto marriage
A partnership where a couple lives together as if married but has not submitted a marriage registration (婚姻届). In Japan, this means the couple functions as spouses in daily life but is not legally recognized as married under the family register system.
There are cases where dependent allowances are recognized even in common-law marriages.
Usage
事実婚 is a topic of growing relevance in Japan, where married couples are legally required to share the same surname (夫婦同姓). Some couples choose 事実婚 to avoid this requirement.
Common collocations
- 事実婚のパートナー (common-law partner)
- 事実婚を選ぶ (to choose common-law marriage)
- 事実婚の権利 (rights of common-law spouses)
Similar words
内縁 is a legal term for de facto marriage, often used in legal and administrative contexts. 事実婚 is more commonly used in general discussion.
Related Words
Synonym:
内縁 (legal term)