Isn’t splitting cost a benefit to getting married? or are there a lack of subsidies and/or tax incentives in Japan for married couples?

Mr Aso was asked whether poverty was making people marry later, contributing to Japan’s low birth rate.

His response was: ”Young people had better not get married with little money.”

He added it was difficult for him to see how someone without pay could be seen as an object of respect.

via BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Japan PM in gaffe on poor couples.