Http://www.moj.go.jp /content/001183661.p Df.pdf

The proposed amendments to the Civil Code (inheritance relations) aim to protect the residential rights of spouses. Two measures are proposed:

1. Short-term protection of residential rights:
- The spouse has the right to continue living in the inherited property without charge until the division of the estate is finalized.
- The spouse is responsible for ordinary necessary expenses, but not for extraordinary necessary expenses or beneficial expenses.
- The spouse cannot transfer or sublet the short-term residential right.
- The short-term residential right expires when the spouse loses possession of the property or dies.

2. Long-term protection of residential rights:
- A new legal right, "long-term residential right," is established, allowing the spouse to use the inherited property for life or a certain period.
- The long-term residential right can be obtained through inheritance division, will, or death-caused gift.
- The spouse has the obligation to use the property in accordance with its intended use and to preserve it.
- The spouse bears the necessary expenses, and the owner of the property is responsible for beneficial expenses.
- The long-term residential right can be transferred or sublet only with the consent of the property owner.
- The long-term residential right expires when the spouse dies or when the property owner requests its expiration due to the spouse's violation of obligations.