The Japanese government has at last made
the first step toward a fairer society.
On January 16, 2018, the Legislative Council for the Justice Ministry on Civil Law released proposals on the revision of inheritance related law.
http://www.moj.go.jp/content/001246034.pdfOn January 16, 2018, the Legislative Council for the Justice Ministry on Civil Law released proposals on the revision of inheritance related law.
The major items include the following:
1. Division of right to a home into the right of residence and the right of ownership and granting the right of residence to the surviving spouse even if he or she has no right of ownership
2. Allowing a relative with no right of inheritance to seek financial compensation for his or her caregiving to the decedent
Both revisions are mostly intended to protect women. For example, in the case 1, the newly established right of residence will prevent surviving wives from being evicted by other heirs.
Also, in the case 2, relatives (e.g., the wife of the eldest son of a family) who provided care to the decedent (e.g., her father or mother in law) may seek financial compensation against the decedent’s children. Under the current law, these women have no right of inheritance and as cheap domestic labor, are the major and sometimes only caregiver to their fathers and mothers in law.
Also, in the case 2, relatives (e.g., the wife of the eldest son of a family) who provided care to the decedent (e.g., her father or mother in law) may seek financial compensation against the decedent’s children. Under the current law, these women have no right of inheritance and as cheap domestic labor, are the major and sometimes only caregiver to their fathers and mothers in law.
The motive for these revisions is not to help these exploited women who have been looking after their husbands’ parents all by themselves free of charge, but to encourage them to keep doing so in exchange for fee paid by their family members. The government is so desperate to reduce medical costs.
But whatever the real motive is, these are
good things, aren’t they? The government has finally recognized the importance of the
financial reward for such care services, whether provided by professional caregivers
or family members.