The story highlights a rising societal issue in Japan surrounding the ambiguity of dependence within married couples. The crux of the discussion is centered around the blurred line defining when the interdependence in a relationship shifts into a potentially harmful territory. This shift can occur due to various reasons including economic restraints, isolating social norms, or mental health issues. The narrative is built based on numerous real-life accounts and expert opinions.

Japan's societal structure historically orients heavily around familial roles and expectations. In recent years, however, various factors like work culture, mental health awareness, and changing societal norms have led to the emergence of debates concerning the degree of dependency in a spousal relationship. People care about this since it affects a significant portion of the population and impacts Japan's social fabric.

In the US or EU, discussions about codependency in relationships have been mainstream for some time. There are countless books, therapists, and support groups dedicated to addressing this issue. However, the societal contexts are vastly different, so the approach toward this issue varies.