Meaning of 世帯主 in 住民票


I understand that 世帯主 means head of household but what specifically defines
世帯主 listed in 住民票? Is it a special legal term that includes certain rights and
obligations?




[住民基本台帳法](http://law.e-gov.go.jp/htmldata/S42/S42HO081.html) has a line
requesting to nominate a 世帯主, but no definition about who should be and what
it is. Only an administrative manual
([住民基本台帳事務処理要領](http://www.jca.apc.org/~teru-
iri/iri/juki/juki_sr19671004b.html)) without legal status issued by MIC has a
brief definition.

> 世帯とは、居住と生計をともにする社会生活上の単位である。世帯を構成する者のうちで、その世帯を主宰する者が世帯主である。  
>  _A household (世帯) is a unit in social life that shares a housing and
> livelihood. Among the member constituting the household, who preside it is
> the head of household (世帯主)._

In other words, there's practically no hard criteria to be 世帯主. Speaking in
extremes, if all the member agrees that you are 世帯主, you will be.

That said, the status of 世帯主 gives you a little privilege to perform some
formalities on the behalf of other members. It also affects tax calculations,
public insurance, or other public services to varying degree. The system is
generally designed on assumption that 世帯主 is who earns the main income of the
household.

For details, it's better to ask your local government or legal experts.




[住民基本台帳法](http://law.e-gov.go.jp/htmldata/S42/S42HO081.html) has a line
requesting to nominate a 世帯主, but no definition about who should be and what
it is. Only an administrative manual
([住民基本台帳事務処理要領](http://www.jca.apc.org/~teru-
iri/iri/juki/juki_sr19671004b.html)) without legal status issued by MIC has a
brief definition.

> 世帯とは、居住と生計をともにする社会生活上の単位である。世帯を構成する者のうちで、その世帯を主宰する者が世帯主である。  
>  _A household (世帯) is a unit in social life that shares a housing and
> livelihood. Among the member constituting the household, who preside it is
> the head of household (世帯主)._

In other words, there's practically no hard criteria to be 世帯主. Speaking in
extremes, if all the member agrees that you are 世帯主, you will be.

That said, the status of 世帯主 gives you a little privilege to perform some
formalities on the behalf of other members. It also affects tax calculations,
public insurance, or other public services to varying degree. The system is
generally designed on assumption that 世帯主 is who earns the main income of the
household.

For details, it's better to ask your local government or legal experts.

