A Controversial Japanese Polygamy Experiment Falls Apart
A Man Who Shocked the Internet
Ryuta Watanabe, a 38 year old man from Japan, once shocked the internet by openly living in a so called polygamous household in Hokkaido.
At the height of the arrangement, he lived under one roof with three women he referred to as his wives. Another woman lived separately. He also maintained relationships with two additional girlfriends. 
Most of these relationships began through dating apps. After meeting in person, they discussed whether living together was possible. If it felt workable, they moved forward.
Life Under One Roof
Despite the unusual setup, the women initially described the household as lively and cooperative.
They shared childcare duties, looked after pets together, and divided housework. The atmosphere was busy but social. One woman described their bond as something between friendship and family.
Polygamy and the Law in Japan
Polygamy is illegal under Japanese law. Watanabe could not legally marry multiple women at the same time.
To work around this, he explained a plan that involved marrying and divorcing different partners in sequence. Over time, everyone would share the same surname. In his mind, that would make them a family.
Watanabe also publicly declared an extreme goal. He wanted to father 54 children.
He explained his reasoning by referencing Tokugawa Ienari, a historical shogun known for having 53 children. Watanabe said he wanted to surpass that number and leave his mark in history.
Proudly Living as a Dependent Partner
Watanabe openly described himself as a dependent partner. He said he did not need a traditional job.
His responsibilities focused on cooking, housework, and childcare. When he went on dates, he did not pay. Household expenses were covered by the women together.
At the time, he showed little concern about long term financial stability.
The Collapse of the Household
Three years later, the experiment ended.
On January 4, Watanabe uploaded a video to YouTube. In the video, he sat down with his three current wives and announced their separation.
One woman said she could not endure the situation anymore. Watanabe responded by admitting he also felt exhausted and had considered leaving.
Business Plans and Growing Conflict
Watanabe explained that despite calling himself dependent, he wanted to expand his personal brand and increase income.
This led to a family meeting. Instead of progress, it triggered conflict. The discussion quickly shifted toward separation.
The household, he said, could no longer continue.
Twins and a Sudden Halt
In March of the previous year, the third wife, Chiharu, gave birth to twins.
Watanabe later admitted that caring for newborn twins consumed most of his time. As a result, what he called his activities as a polygamous man came to a complete stop.
Those activities mainly involved searching for new wives.
A Startling Proposal
Watanabe announced plans to explore opportunities in Malaysia and Hokkaido.
When asked how he would cover child support and living expenses across countries, he offered a shocking proposal.
He suggested that the wives take full responsibility for raising the children. He proposed they create a single mother support channel online to generate income.
Meanwhile, he would continue seeking new wives and expanding the polygamous lifestyle.
Family Pressure and Final Decisions
Around six months earlier, Chiharu’s father issued a warning.
He told her that if she did not leave Watanabe, he would cut off their relationship and refuse to see his grandchildren.
Chiharu struggled with the decision. By the end of the year, she decided to move back to her parents’ home.
The first wife, Hina, said she would leave as well if Chiharu left. Soon after, both women moved out of the apartment.
No Attempts to Stop Them
Watanabe did not attempt to persuade them to stay.
He compared the breakup to a band disbanding due to creative differences.
He said he had no intention of earning approval from Chiharu’s father. Polygamy, he insisted, was his chosen lifestyle. He refused to change it.
The second wife, Ayaka, chose to remain with him and prepared to move together.
Recruiting New Partners Again
Watanabe later announced online that phase two of his polygamous life had begun.
He openly recruited new partners. Surprisingly, he claimed there were interested candidates.
He said he was already in contact with four women and planned to meet them soon.
Stricter Conditions Than Before
This time, Watanabe introduced stricter requirements.
He stated that only Japanese women could apply. He said he wanted partners who loved him more than their parents.
He also said he would not sign any prenuptial agreements. Trust, he claimed, was essential.
Living on Minimal Savings
At the time of the announcement, Watanabe said his savings totaled only 180,000 yen.
That amount equals roughly 7,940 Chinese yuan.
Despite this, he expressed no anxiety. He claimed that video revenue would soon bring in millions of yen. He said he was ready to rebuild the band.
Public Backlash in Japan
Public reaction in Japan was harsh.
Many online commenters accused Watanabe of abandoning responsibility. Some expressed concern that public funds could eventually be used to support his children.
Others criticized his self centered attitude. They said he showed no concern for the long term future of the women or the children involved.
Sympathy for the Children
Several commenters made one point clear.
They did not judge the adults for their choices. Instead, they felt deep sympathy for the children.
Regardless of lifestyle preferences, many argued that parents must remain responsible for the lives they bring into the world.
In the end, the strangest part of the story may not be the relationships themselves, but the children left behind in their collapse.
