Awareness Survey of 18-Year-Olds – GDP, New NISA, MobilityResults of 60th installment announced – 70% uncertain of Japan’s future, 80% approve of requiring older drivers to surrender licenses

The 60th installment of the Awareness Survey of 18-Year-Olds, launched by The Nippon Foundation in October 2018, was carried out on December 1-4, 2023, to gauge young people’s views on Japan’s GDP, “new NISA” (Nippon Individual Savings Account; a revamped tax-free retirement savings program), and mobility.
With the International Monetary Fund forecasting that Japan’s global gross domestic product ranking will fall to fourth from third, roughly 70% of the survey’s 1,000 respondents expressed uncertainty regarding Japan’s future, and 60% were uncertain about their own future.
More than 40% of respondents replied that they “Know about” the new NISA program introduced in January, and more than 40% also expressed “Interest” in investing to build assets. Male respondents considered emerging market stocks to be the most attractive investment, while women tended to prefer Japanese stocks.
On the subject of automobiles and mobility (people and goods) in the future, the top expectations were a “Reduction in accidents,” followed by “Reduced road congestion” and a “Reduction in environmental impact.” In terms of concerns, close to 40% cited the “Increase in accidents caused by older drivers,” and close to 80% “Approved” of drivers being required to surrender their license when they reach a certain age.

Highlights of the 60th Awareness Survey of 18-Year-Olds – GDP, New NISA, Mobility

Uncertainty regarding the future in light of a projected decline in Japan’s global GDP ranking

• For Japan’s future
  • Feel uncertainty – 70.8%
  • Do not feel uncertainty – 12.7%
  • No particular feeling – 16.5%
• For their own future
  • Feel uncertainty – 62.9%
  • Do not feel uncertainty – 19.9%
  • No particular feeling – 17.2%
    • *“Feel uncertainty” is the total of “Feel uncertainty” and “Feel some uncertainty,” and “Do not feel uncertainty” is the total of “Do not feel uncertainty” and “Do not feel much uncertainty.”

Awareness of launch of new NISA program

• Know about the program – 44.0%
• Do not know about the program – 56.0%
  • *“Know about the program” is the total of “Know that a new NISA program has been launched, including the specific contents” and “Know that a new NISA program has been launched but do not know the specific contents.”

Requirement that older drivers surrender their licenses upon reaching a certain age

• Approve – 77.2%
• Disapprove – 8.3%
  • *“Approve” is the total of “Approve” and “Somewhat approve,” and “Disapprove” is the total of “Disapprove” and “Somewhat disapprove.”

Survey Excerpts

About the Awareness Survey of 18-Year-Olds

Revisions to Japan’s Civil Code lowering the age of adulthood to 18 for a range of activities, including voting, took effect in April 2022, making it even more important to understand and record the awareness of the 18-year-olds who represent Japan’s next generation. With this in mind, in October 2018 The Nippon Foundation launched the Awareness Survey of 18-Year-Olds as an ongoing survey of young men and women across Japan aged around 18, to survey their values, attitudes toward politics and elections, understanding of social issues, and other current themes on an ongoing basis.

Notes:

1. From the 13th survey, the number of respondents, comprising men and women aged 17 to 19, has been increased to 1,000 from 800.
2. With the exception of the 20th and 46th installments, “Awareness Survey of Society and Country,” all surveys cover respondents in Japan only.