Mitsutoshi Fukatsu has been with his wife for three decades, but their lives have grown apart.
As a busy stationmaster, he returned to their home in Shibukawa, Gunma Prefecture, only to eat, bathe and sleep.
Now with retirement looming, the 56-year-old wants to get to know his wife better. He's helping with chores, calls his wife by her name, Setsuko -- instead of just grunting -- and recently learned a new phrase: "I love you."