Shankure-ru Co., Ltd. (Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo), a matchmaking service company with 32 years of history and a track record of forming 1.68 million couples, has released an interview article with lawyer Umi Yamaguchi of Shiokaze Law Office, in response to the increase in inheritance and legal troubles in senior matchmaking.

Against the backdrop of the "100-year life" era, interest in "senior matchmaking" is growing as a means to alleviate loneliness and improve the quality of life for the elderly. On the other hand, in senior matchmaking, which often involves remarriage, cases where inheritance troubles and legal risks associated with common-law marriage become apparent just before marriage are increasing, drawing attention as a new social issue.

At "Shankure-ru Marriage," a marriage agency that also handles members in their 60s, it has been confirmed that over 90% of remarried couples aged 60 and over who have successfully married have consulted about concerns regarding inheritance and family relationships.

*Survey conducted by our company targeting remarried couples aged 60 and over who successfully married between June 2025 and May 2026.

With approximately 90% of these users being remarried and about 70% having children, it is clear that legal preparation, not just emotional preparation, is essential in senior matchmaking. Based on this background, we have developed a new support scheme that incorporates a legal perspective into the matchmaking process, based on the concept of a "legal health check-up" born from discussions with lawyer Yamaguchi, an expert in inheritance practice.

▶ Full interview article here: https://www.2400.co.jp/sunsetparty-article1

"Inconvenient Truths" in Senior Matchmaking

Unlike younger generations, senior matchmaking progresses with "remarriage" and "complex family relationships" as background factors. According to our user data, approximately 90% are seeking remarriage, and about 70% have children. As the number of related parties increases through marriage, the interests concerning inheritance, assets, and housing become more complex.

In particular, the following issues have become apparent in recent consultation settings:

- Opposition to remarriage from the children's generation from the perspective of "asset protection." - Disputes over the right to reside after the sudden death of a partner. - Overlooking risks due to the misconception that "if it's a common-law marriage, there won't be any problems."

For example, in cases where a partner dies shortly after remarriage, conflicts can arise between the "spouse who wants to continue living in the home" and the "children who consider the real estate as inheritance property," making it difficult to continue residing there. Furthermore, the more harmonious the family relationships, the more likely people are to assume "we'll be fine" and proceed with marriage and cohabitation without any legal arrangements.

Figure 1: Senior matchmaking often involves individuals seeking remarriage or those with children, leading to complex relationships and interests upon marriage. Consequently, the risk of disputes over inheritance and housing increases.

Common Consultation Topics in Senior Remarriage

We frequently receive the following types of consultations:

- How to inherit the home and assets after remarriage. - How to leave property to children from a previous marriage. - Whether to choose common-law marriage or legal marriage. - Who will be responsible for future caregiving and medical consent.

In senior matchmaking, it is important to pre-arrange not only romance and marriage itself but also family relationships, asset management, and future preparations.

New Proposal: "Legal Health Check-up"

Based on this background, our company and lawyer Yamaguchi advocate for a "legal health check-up" that incorporates a legal perspective into the matchmaking process. This is a system to organize and visualize the following aspects during the dating phase:

- Financial status (assets, liabilities, inheritance subjects) - Housing plans (owned home, cohabitation, future residence) - Family relationships (relationships with children and relatives)

The aim is to identify potential risks early and prevent troubles by incorporating a lawyer's perspective.

Lawyer Yamaguchi points out the following: "In senior matchmaking, organizing interests, not just emotions, is essential. Many troubles can be prevented by having discussions and legal arrangements in advance."

Regarding common-law marriage, he also emphasizes the importance of concrete measures such as creating a will and securing rights through contracts, countering the misconception that "it's safe as long as you don't register the marriage."

At the conclusion of the interview, lawyer Yamaguchi stated, "If you take care of the troublesome things first, the enjoyment afterward will be even greater." The message that prior legal arrangements are the foundation for a "happy remarriage" for seniors to embark on a new life with peace of mind aligns with our goal of "matchmaking support that considers everything from finding a partner to life planning."

Figure 2: Common-law marriage offers limited legal protection compared to legal marriage. There are significant differences, particularly in rights related to inheritance, housing, and medical care.

Introduction of "Senior Matchmaking Risk Check Sheet"

Furthermore, based on the interview content, we have developed our unique "Senior Matchmaking Risk Check Sheet," which organizes and visualizes important items to confirm before marriage, and have introduced it to our members. This check sheet is used during counseling for couples who have entered a serious relationship.

The check sheet addresses themes that are difficult for couples to bring up themselves, such as:

- Choice of residence after remarriage. - Timing for explanation and agreement with relatives. - Approach to asset distribution in case of unforeseen circumstances. - Policies regarding caregiving and gravesites.

By having an intermediary involved, we create an environment where these topics can be discussed with peace of mind. This leads to "highly satisfactory marriages" that encompass not only emotional aspects but also realistic life planning.

Figure 3: In traditional matchmaking, legal and family issues tend to surface after progressing from meeting to marriage. In contrast, the new matchmaking model prevents troubles by conducting legal checks and obtaining family consent before marriage.

Future Outlook

In the "100-year life" era, the forms of partnership are diversifying, and remarriage and the formation of new relationships among seniors are expected to increase further. On the other hand, a lack of legal understanding regarding inheritance, family relationships, and common-law marriage is becoming a source of anxiety before and after marriage, making "creating an environment where remarriage can be done with peace of mind" a new social challenge.

We view the "legal health check-up" developed through our dialogue with lawyer Yamaguchi as the first step in providing a secure design support for senior matchmaking. Moving forward, we aim to build a new matchmaking model that supports both matchmaking and end-of-life planning without separation, by promoting information provision and consultation opportunities in collaboration with experts.

We will continue to strengthen our comprehensive support system, including legal and life planning, beyond simply providing opportunities for encounters, and contribute to creating a society where seniors can build partnerships with peace of mind.

🔗 Full interview article here (Shankure-ru Official Website)

About Shankure-ru Co., Ltd.

Shankure-ru Co., Ltd. is a comprehensive matchmaking service company with 32 years of history, operating matchmaking party and marriage agency services nationwide to create diverse opportunities for encounters.

In the matchmaking party business, we provide a large scale of matchmaking opportunities, with a cumulative total of 1.68 million couples formed and 56,000 matches realized annually, making us one of Japan's largest.

In the marriage agency business, we operate two brands: one specializing in services for seniors and another for younger generations aged 20s to 30s. As an official member of the Japan Marriage Agency Federation (IBJ), which has over 100,000 registered members nationwide, we provide highly reliable matchmaking opportunities.

Despite being established relatively recently, we have received high evaluations for both our achievements and reliability, including winning the IBJ Award, hosted by the federation, for three consecutive terms.

We will continue to aim for the creation of more happy encounters through comprehensive support from "meeting to marriage," tailored to each individual.

About "Sunset Party," a matchmaking party for seniors "Sunset Party" is a matchmaking party for individuals aged 50 and over, operated by Shankure-ru Co., Ltd. It provides a place for encounters where participants can share values and lifestyles unique to their generation. Through content like this interview with experts, we also disseminate information related to legal matters, inheritance, and life planning for senior matchmaking. URL: https://www.2400.co.jp/sunsetparty

Contact Information

Shankure-ru Co., Ltd. Public Relations: Komatsu

🔗 Click here for media inquiries

🔗 Matchmaking Parties for those 50 and over [Sunset Party]

Lawyer Umi Yamaguchi, Shiokaze Law Office

Lawyer Umi Yamaguchi is the representative lawyer at Shiokaze Law Office and a member of the Chiba Bar Association. He primarily handles cases in areas such as inheritance, real estate, and corporate law, and also focuses on legal support for end-of-life planning. Based on his specialized knowledge, he proposes optimal solutions tailored to each individual's situation. He is a trusted partner who supports clients in taking their next step with peace of mind, by addressing concerns and challenges at important turning points in life.

🔗 Click here for the official website of Shiokaze Law Office

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: 記事