The "Cost of Not Talking" is up to approximately 790,000 yen - 62% of people in their 20s-40s are not discussing inheritance with their parents
Song LLC conducted a survey on the reality of discussing inheritance with parents among people in their 20s-40s. It revealed that 62% have not discussed inheritance with their parents, and the "cost of not talking" could amount to approximately 790,000 yen. The report suggests that early discussions can reduce procedural burdens and family conflicts.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 24, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 24, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 24, 2026 at 11:01 (29 min after Collected)
Song LLC conducted a survey targeting men and women nationwide in their 20s to 40s (whose parents are alive) regarding "the reality of discussing inheritance with parents." Inheritance is often considered "something to think about when the time comes," but in reality, whether or not discussions take place makes a significant difference in subsequent procedural burdens, costs, and family relationships. This survey quantifies the often-overlooked "cost of not talking" and presents concrete avoidance measures.
**Survey Overview**
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Initiator | Song LLC |
| Target Audience | Men and women nationwide in their 20s to 40s (whose parents are alive) |
| Valid Responses | 300 people |
| Survey Method | Internet survey |
| Survey Period | April 10, 2026 - April 20, 2026 |
**Model Households**
* **Model of not having discussed (child generation):** 30 years old, single, 1K rental in Tokyo, company employee / Parents live in a rural area and are in their late 60s / Has siblings / Tends to avoid inheritance topics as "bad luck."
* **Model of having started discussions (child generation):** 38 years old, married, 1 child, lives in the suburbs / Parents own a house (detached) + financial assets / Differences in opinion with siblings / Started discussions triggered by "nursing care."
**How many people are actually discussing inheritance with their parents? - Experience rate and "content discussed"**
38% of respondents answered that they "have discussed inheritance with their parents," while 62% answered that they "have not discussed it."
* 20s: 24%
* 30s: 36%
* 40s: 54%
Although the discussion rate increases with age, nearly half still have not had these conversations.
**By cohabitation and sibling structure**
* Cohabiting: 46% / Living separately: 34%
* With siblings: 33% / Only child: 49%
**Ranking of topics discussed**
1. Handling of the family home (real estate): 52%
2. Existence of financial assets: 49%
3. Nursing care costs/policies: 44%
4. Insurance details: 38%
5. Debts/liabilities: 27%
6. Existence of a will: 24%
7. Digital legacy (accounts/subscriptions): 19%
**User Comments**
* K.M., 34, Office Worker: "I asked about the family home, but I haven't been able to ask about bank accounts or online matters at all."
* T.S., 41, Sales: "It's hard to talk when my parents are healthy, so I keep putting it off."
* R.A., 28, Designer: "I haven't been able to delve into discussions about role-sharing with my siblings."
**"Reasons for not talking" and signs of trouble that actually occurred - The true nature of the invisible cost**
**Ranking of reasons for not talking**
1. Awkward / Bad luck: 29%
2. Feel it's too early: 22%
3. Don't know what to ask: 18%
4. Parents don't want to talk: 14%
5. Sibling adjustment is troublesome: 10%
6. Busy and postponing: 7%
**Trouble signs / Experience rate**
* Procedures stalled due to not knowing documents/accounts: 31%
* Hesitation in disposing of the family home: 27%
* Sibling conflict: 24%
* Delay in name change: 21%
* Trouble with digital legacy: 17%
* Unexpected inheritance tax: 12%
**Cost of not talking (mini calculation)**
* **Model of not having discussed:**
* Travel expenses (multiple round trips home): Approximately ¥80,000 to ¥150,000
* Cleanup / Disposal of remaining items: ¥200,000 to ¥600,000
* Procedure agency / Document acquisition: ¥50,000 to ¥200,000
* Total: ¥330,000 to ¥950,000
* **Model of having started discussions:**
* Pre-arrangement / Consultation costs: ¥30,000 to ¥100,000
* Travel expenses (pre-adjustment): ¥20,000 to ¥60,000
* Total: ¥50,000 to ¥160,000
**Maximum difference: Approximately ¥790,000**
**User Comments**
* Y.K., 39, Company Employee: "I had to go to the city hall and bank many times because I didn't know about the accounts."
* M.H., 35, Nurse: "Cleaning up the family home cost more time and money than I expected."
* S.T., 42, Self-employed: "My siblings disagreed, and our relationship became strained."
**Reducing "risk" just by talking - How to start an inheritance conversation in 20 minutes**
**Minimum checklist**
* Overall picture of assets (real estate / financial assets)
* Main accounts / Contacts
* Storage location of important documents
* Wishes for the future of the family home
* Shared rules among siblings
* List of digital assets
**Conversation triggers**
* When visiting home
* Insurance renewal
* Topics about nursing care
* House repairs
* Smartphone change
**Example opening phrases**
* "Just want to know a little bit so we don't get into trouble if something happens."
* "I want to make a note so we don't get lost in procedures."
**Changes after talking**
* Reduced anxiety: 63%
* No change: 28%
* Increased anxiety: 9%
**Next actions**
* Family meeting: 42%
* Creating an ending note: 36%
* Account inventory: 33%
* Consulting experts: 21%
**User Comments**
* A.N., 37, Company Employee: "Just talking a little made a big difference in my sense of security."
* H.O., 33, IT: "Even just organizing digital matters reduced the burden."
* K.S., 40, Public Servant: "It was significant that my siblings shared the same understanding."
**Summary**
This survey revealed that only 38% of people discuss inheritance, with the majority (over half) not doing so. On the other hand, the cost of not talking...
**Survey Overview**
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Initiator | Song LLC |
| Target Audience | Men and women nationwide in their 20s to 40s (whose parents are alive) |
| Valid Responses | 300 people |
| Survey Method | Internet survey |
| Survey Period | April 10, 2026 - April 20, 2026 |
**Model Households**
* **Model of not having discussed (child generation):** 30 years old, single, 1K rental in Tokyo, company employee / Parents live in a rural area and are in their late 60s / Has siblings / Tends to avoid inheritance topics as "bad luck."
* **Model of having started discussions (child generation):** 38 years old, married, 1 child, lives in the suburbs / Parents own a house (detached) + financial assets / Differences in opinion with siblings / Started discussions triggered by "nursing care."
**How many people are actually discussing inheritance with their parents? - Experience rate and "content discussed"**
38% of respondents answered that they "have discussed inheritance with their parents," while 62% answered that they "have not discussed it."
* 20s: 24%
* 30s: 36%
* 40s: 54%
Although the discussion rate increases with age, nearly half still have not had these conversations.
**By cohabitation and sibling structure**
* Cohabiting: 46% / Living separately: 34%
* With siblings: 33% / Only child: 49%
**Ranking of topics discussed**
1. Handling of the family home (real estate): 52%
2. Existence of financial assets: 49%
3. Nursing care costs/policies: 44%
4. Insurance details: 38%
5. Debts/liabilities: 27%
6. Existence of a will: 24%
7. Digital legacy (accounts/subscriptions): 19%
**User Comments**
* K.M., 34, Office Worker: "I asked about the family home, but I haven't been able to ask about bank accounts or online matters at all."
* T.S., 41, Sales: "It's hard to talk when my parents are healthy, so I keep putting it off."
* R.A., 28, Designer: "I haven't been able to delve into discussions about role-sharing with my siblings."
**"Reasons for not talking" and signs of trouble that actually occurred - The true nature of the invisible cost**
**Ranking of reasons for not talking**
1. Awkward / Bad luck: 29%
2. Feel it's too early: 22%
3. Don't know what to ask: 18%
4. Parents don't want to talk: 14%
5. Sibling adjustment is troublesome: 10%
6. Busy and postponing: 7%
**Trouble signs / Experience rate**
* Procedures stalled due to not knowing documents/accounts: 31%
* Hesitation in disposing of the family home: 27%
* Sibling conflict: 24%
* Delay in name change: 21%
* Trouble with digital legacy: 17%
* Unexpected inheritance tax: 12%
**Cost of not talking (mini calculation)**
* **Model of not having discussed:**
* Travel expenses (multiple round trips home): Approximately ¥80,000 to ¥150,000
* Cleanup / Disposal of remaining items: ¥200,000 to ¥600,000
* Procedure agency / Document acquisition: ¥50,000 to ¥200,000
* Total: ¥330,000 to ¥950,000
* **Model of having started discussions:**
* Pre-arrangement / Consultation costs: ¥30,000 to ¥100,000
* Travel expenses (pre-adjustment): ¥20,000 to ¥60,000
* Total: ¥50,000 to ¥160,000
**Maximum difference: Approximately ¥790,000**
**User Comments**
* Y.K., 39, Company Employee: "I had to go to the city hall and bank many times because I didn't know about the accounts."
* M.H., 35, Nurse: "Cleaning up the family home cost more time and money than I expected."
* S.T., 42, Self-employed: "My siblings disagreed, and our relationship became strained."
**Reducing "risk" just by talking - How to start an inheritance conversation in 20 minutes**
**Minimum checklist**
* Overall picture of assets (real estate / financial assets)
* Main accounts / Contacts
* Storage location of important documents
* Wishes for the future of the family home
* Shared rules among siblings
* List of digital assets
**Conversation triggers**
* When visiting home
* Insurance renewal
* Topics about nursing care
* House repairs
* Smartphone change
**Example opening phrases**
* "Just want to know a little bit so we don't get into trouble if something happens."
* "I want to make a note so we don't get lost in procedures."
**Changes after talking**
* Reduced anxiety: 63%
* No change: 28%
* Increased anxiety: 9%
**Next actions**
* Family meeting: 42%
* Creating an ending note: 36%
* Account inventory: 33%
* Consulting experts: 21%
**User Comments**
* A.N., 37, Company Employee: "Just talking a little made a big difference in my sense of security."
* H.O., 33, IT: "Even just organizing digital matters reduced the burden."
* K.S., 40, Public Servant: "It was significant that my siblings shared the same understanding."
**Summary**
This survey revealed that only 38% of people discuss inheritance, with the majority (over half) not doing so. On the other hand, the cost of not talking...