"A Matter of Sharing" traces the story of an elderly man at odds with those around him, who, by coming into contact with people from various backgrounds, begins to learn the importance of caring.

Elderly married couple Hideo and Kiyoko Haruyama live in Tokyo. They have refurbished their home into a share-house, inhabited by a diverse group of residents with varying ages, professions, and nationalities. Landlady Kiyoko hosts dinners and always lends an ear to her tenants' problems. However, one day, after a sudden accident, she is hospitalized. Hideo is forced to step in for his wife and take over her role. In contrast to the outgoing Kiyoko, who is like a mother to the residents, Hideo is somewhat of a reclusive curmudgeon. The tenants find it difficult to relate to him. He is also alienated from his son, Takashi, who is gay and runs a restaurant with his partner.