Grammar
N4 verb-grammar

It has been decided 〜ことになる

Meaning

A decision or arrangement reached by someone else, by a group, or by circumstance — "it has been decided that ~", "it turns out that ~".

Formation

Notes

The counterpart of ことにする. Japanese prefers ことになりました even for outcomes the speaker helped bring about, because it sounds less self-assertive: 結婚することになりました is the normal way to announce a marriage. 〜ことになっている states a standing rule: 九時までに来ることになっています.

Examples

It's been decided that I'll transfer to Osaka next month.

Breakdown
next month Osaka (direction) to transfer it has been decided

We're getting married. (the standard, modest announcement)

Breakdown
we (topic) to marry it has come about that

The meeting is scheduled to start at three.

Breakdown
meeting (topic) to begin is arranged to

The rule here is that you take your shoes off.

Breakdown
here (at, contrastive) shoes (object) to take off is the rule

The exam will now be held next week.

Breakdown
exam (topic) next week be held (passive) it was decided

⚠️ Often confused with

Decide to 〜ことにする

A decision you make yourself — "decide to ~". 〜ことにしました reports the decision as set...