New survey highlights unequal housework burden in dual-income Japan fams

Even when both parents work full-time, mothers in Japan still do most of the work at home, and a new survey highlights just how much of the everyday mental load of raising a family falls on them, too.

Mamahapi Research Institute surveyed 346 people for the third edition of its Real Life White Paper, which was released just a couple of days ago on October 21st, 2026. The survey found that mothers in dual-income households handle an average of 73.1% of household chores, take care of 93.4% of kids hospital visits and vaccination arrangements, and 85.1% are responsible for their children's belongings and messages from schools and childcare facilities.

I think it's a good reminder that the "mental load" isn't just about who cooks dinner or puts on a load of washing. There's the constants of remembering appointments, checking school messages, keeping track of what the kids need, and noticing when the household is running low on essentials. It's work that can easily go unnoticed, even when it takes up a massive chunk of the day.

For those unhappy with how chores were divided, the biggest frustration was having a partner who wouldn't help unless asked. Those who were happier most often said they and their partner helped each other when needed.