Sulking husband goes 20 years without speaking to wife

While many couples have experienced some awkward, sulking silences after an argument, their experiences would not compare to one husband and wife who have not spoken for more than 20 years.

Otou Yumi, from Nara, southern Japan, lives with his three children and wife, Katayama.

But he hasn’t spoken to his better half for more than two decades.

Katayama perseveres in making conversation with the sullen Otou but has only ever receives a nod or a grunt.

However things are looking up, after their 18-year-old son Yoshiki wrote to a TV show in Japan asking them to fix the situation.

The son said he had never heard them have a conversation.

Husband Otou felt that his wife’s attention was focused entirely on their kids and he was jealous.

Hokkaido TV set up a meeting between them in the park where they had their first date, as their emotional children watched on.

“Somehow it's been a while since we talked”, Otou said.

“You were so concerned about the kids.

“Yumi up until now, you have endured a lot of hardship.

“I want you to know I'm grateful for everything.”

Otou said: “I was kind of... jealous. I was sulking about it.”

“There's no going back now I guess.”